Kim Keon Hee denies knowing about martial law plan at Park Sung-jae trial
Published: 13 Apr. 2026, 18:29
Updated: 13 Apr. 2026, 18:37
![Former first lady Kim Keon Hee enters the court for her final hearing on charges of violating the Capital Market Act at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho District, southern Seoul, on Dec. 3, 2025. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/13/a07772c5-f48f-4f19-b72c-d17c7a39fa4b.jpg)
Former first lady Kim Keon Hee enters the court for her final hearing on charges of violating the Capital Market Act at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho District, southern Seoul, on Dec. 3, 2025. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
Former first lady Kim Keon Hee told a court that former President Yoon Suk Yeol never informed her of his plans to declare emergency martial law on Dec. 3, 2024.
Kim appeared as a witness in former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae’s insurrection trial at the Seoul Central District Court. She denied prior knowledge of the declaration, refused to answer most questions tied to allegations of an investigation cover-up and denied having personal ties with Park.
Kim, when asked by an associate judge whether Yoon had ever spoken to her about declaring emergency martial law, simply answered, “No.”
Even when the associate judged pushed her and specifically asked if Yoon had talked about martial law before or after the declaration, Kim still replied that she had heard nothing of it.
Investigators had previously secured testimony that Yoon told former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and former Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min, “No one knows about the plan to declare emergency martial law. Even my wife doesn’t know. I think she would be angry.”
Kim refused to answer most questions related to allegations that she tried to hamper the investigation.
![Former first lady Kim Keon Hee is seen during her final hearing on charges of violating the Capital Market Act at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho District, southern Seoul, on Dec. 3, 2025. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/13/e83f1dcd-c4ac-4028-b30d-dba97932c33a.jpg)
Former first lady Kim Keon Hee is seen during her final hearing on charges of violating the Capital Market Act at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho District, southern Seoul, on Dec. 3, 2025. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
The judge questioned her about her reasons for sending a message to Park asking why the case relating to former Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su was not being processed. Kim simply refused to testify on the matter.
She also refused to answer when asked whether she had sought Park’s advice about the luxury bag and stock manipulation cases.
Kim also denied having a personal relationship with Park. Asked whether she had ever attended private gatherings with him, Kim said, “No.” The former first lady also denied knowing that Yoon and Park had been close while serving at the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office in 2014.
“I do not know that at all,” Kim said. “What came up here today is not something I could have known. I never heard about it and never took part in any gathering.”
She also denied any role in Park’s appointment as justice minister. “No,” Kim said when asked by an associate judge whether she had been involved.
![Former first lady Kim Keon Hee is seen during her final hearing on charges of violating the Capital Market Act at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho District, southern Seoul, on Dec. 3, 2025. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/13/e9966fd8-d78d-4c8d-a5cc-7b47a45b361d.jpg)
Former first lady Kim Keon Hee is seen during her final hearing on charges of violating the Capital Market Act at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho District, southern Seoul, on Dec. 3, 2025. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
Kim entered the courtroom in a black suit and white shirt with her hair tied back. She initially wore glasses and a mask, but removed the mask after the presiding judge said masks could not be worn in court without a reason, such as an infectious disease. Her testimony ended after about 35 minutes.
Park has also been indicted on charges of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. Prosecutors allege that he accepted requests from Yoon and Kim and helped cover up suspicions that Kim had regarding receiving a luxury bag from a pastor. Investigators also found that Kim had sent Telegram messages to Park asking questions such as, “What is happening with my investigation?”
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY CHOI SEO-IN [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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