Aide Close to Kim Keon-hee Releases Duet Video with Yoon Suk-yeol… Sparks Controversy Over Public Campaign for Release
A video of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, currently in detention, singing together with his wife Kim Keon-hee was released on the 17th. The content focuses on highlighting the couple's human, personal side. Photos were posted of Kim cleaning, along with captions saying she does not drink or smoke and that her hobby is cleaning. Also released were footage of the former president singing singer Cho Young-nam's 'My Hometown, Chungcheong Province' and images of Kim applying a face mask to the 'housekeeper' who used to help with household chores.
The video was posted by Jeong Ji-won, a former presidential office administrator who is one of Kim's closest aides. As Kim's appellate detention period expires on the 31st, the release is being interpreted as a public opinion campaign aimed at securing her release. Jeong, who came from Kobana Contents, the exhibition planning company Kim ran, is regarded as her closest aide, having served in a role equivalent to that of a personal secretary. He started a Threads account on August 28, stating, "Even through this account, I will make the truth known." Since then, he has steadily shared the couple's daily life, and on the 22nd of last month he wrote, "I hope the butterfly effect of my posts will lead the court's gaze to the truth beyond the fabricated frames."
The backdrop to the attention these activities are drawing is the expiration of Kim's detention period. Kim was indicted in custody on charges including stock price manipulation involving Deutsch Motors, the unpaid receipt of opinion polls from Myung Tae-kyun, and the acceptance of money and goods from the Unification Church. Previously, the special prosecution team led by Min Joong-ki, which investigated allegations related to Kim, had requested the Supreme Court issue an additional arrest warrant.
On the 21st, Jeong attached a link to an online petition opposing the issuance of an additional arrest warrant, and on the 12th he posted a link to a 'national signature relay petition for acquittal.' Supporters' replies such as "I hope you quickly regain your freedom and return to the daily life that belongs to just the two of you" and "An exemplary couple" appear under his posts.
