Former first lady Kim and close associates questioned by special counsel team

Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee faces a second session of intense interrogation by the special counsel on this Monday following her arrest last week on corruption charges.

Our political correspondent Shin Ha-young has more.

Former first lady Kim Keon Hee and close associates appeared at the special counsel's office on Monday.

Kim's questioning, which began at 10 AM, comes as special counsel Min Joong-ki investigates corruption allegations against the former first lady, with Monday's session focusing on her alleged interference in candidate nominations during past elections and stock price manipulation.

As in her previous questioning last Thursday, according to the team, Kim refused to answer most of the team's questions.

It was Kim Keon Hee's second questioning since her arrest last week, after a court issued an arrest warrant with detention.

Kim Ye-seong , who's often described as the "butler" of her family, also appeared at the office.

It was his first session since being taken into custody on Friday on charges of embezzling 2-point-4 million U.S. dollars from IMS Mobility, a company in which he holds a stake.

Prosecutors suspect he diverted part of the funds into another firm he effectively controlled.

Investigators also examined whether the embezzled money or other profits were funneled to Kim Keon Hee's family.

The same day, a shaman named Jeon Seong-bae was also questioned over allegations that he delivered requests for business favors, along with luxury gifts from the Unification Church, to the former first lady.

Meanwhile, the Seoul Central District Court held a hearing on Monday on former President Yoon Suk Yeol's insurrection and abuse of power charges without him present, as he has refused to attend.

Yoon has skipped all five hearings in the insurrection case since his rearrest, citing health problems.

His representatives said he will attend "once his condition improves," but declined to provide details on his current health.

Shin Ha-young, Arirang News.