Last month, Kim Keon-Hee, the wife of South Korea’s impeachment and former president Yoon Suk-Yeol, was arrested for bribery, stock manipulation and election interference. On Thursday, the special prosecutor who led the case said Lee Ufan’s paintings are now the center of the investigation.
After the inauguration in June, newly elected President-elect Lee Jae-Myung made an arrest in August. It is one of three investigations against Yoon, who was removed from office in April after the former conservative president imposed martial law last December.
Prosecutors claim former prosecutor Kim Sang-Min bought Lee From 800298 points In 2023, Kim Jin-Woo, the brother representing Kim Keon-Hee, has about 100 million won (about $75,000). The painting was allegedly handed over to the former First Lady’s circle.
The investigation is examining whether the deal is related to political favors, including a bid for Jin Sing to be nominated for the ruling party in the 2024 election, and he was later appointed as legal counsel for the National Intelligence Agency.
From 800298 pointsallegedly a painting by Lee Ufan.
Kim Sang-Min denied receiving any benefits, saying he was only acting as an intermediary at the request of Jin-woo. “I was asked to buy the painting under my hidden identity because if the Kim Keane Him-Kim Wu family is buying the painting, it could be at least two to three times higher,” he told Korean broadcasting system.
According to KBS, the painting was found at Jin-Woo’s mother-in-law’s home, which investigators called a forged “state-owned access necklace.”
South Korean record newspaper Chosun Ilbo reported this week that two Korean art appraisers came to contradictory conclusions about the authenticity of the painting.
In response, Kim Sang-Min said it was an “embarrassing situation” and apologized. He added: “At the time of purchase, the brokerage guaranteed their credibility, that it turned out to be fake and they would go bankrupt. I apologize for the current revelation, which may be fake.”
The investigation is still underway.
