Special Counsel Demands Eight-Year Prison Term for Kim Ye‑seong The special counsel team led by Min Joong‑ki filed a request for an eight‑year imprisonment and a 430 million‑won forfeiture for Kim Ye‑seong, an associate of former first lady Kim Keon Hee, citing severe embezzlement charges [1]. Kim was indicted in August for siphoning 2.43 billion won from IMS Mobility, a car‑rental firm he helped launch, in collusion with its CEO Jo Young‑tak [1]. Prosecutors emphasized that the alleged misuse of funds undermines public trust, though they have not established a direct link to the former first lady [1].

Prosecutors Outline Complex Investment and Spending Trail The indictment alleges IMS Mobility received roughly 18.4 billion won in 2023 investments from Kakao Mobility Corp. and Shinhan Bank via a private‑equity vehicle tied to Kim, suggesting a sophisticated financial network [1]. Investigators claim the embezzled proceeds funded personal real‑estate purchases and about 3 billion won in stock acquisitions [1]. The special counsel highlighted the scale of the scheme but reiterated the absence of confirmed involvement by Kim Keon Hee herself [1].

Lee Jong‑ho Accused of Providing 300 Million Won Checks Lawyers for Lee Jong‑ho, former head of Blackpearl Invest and close confidant of Kim Keon Hee, asserted that he handed the former first lady checks totaling 300 million won during the trial’s final arguments [2][3]. The alleged payments were presented as evidence of Lee’s cooperation with prosecutors after earlier questioning revealed his role in a bribery scheme to secure a lighter sentence for a stock‑manipulation defendant between June 2022 and February 2023 [3]. Prosecutors are seeking a four‑year prison term, a 10 million‑won fine, and forfeiture of 83.9 million won, with sentencing set for February 13 [3].

Verdicts and Sentencing Hearings Planned for Early 2026 Seoul court scheduled the verdict on former President Yoon Suk‑yeol’s alleged obstruction of justice for January 16, adhering to a law requiring a ruling within six months of indictment [2]. Lee’s sentencing hearing follows on February 13, where the court will decide on the requested four‑year term and associated penalties [3]. These proceedings occur alongside broader political developments, including recent Korea‑U.S. talks on North Korea policy, underscoring the heightened scrutiny of the former first lady’s network [2].