South Korea indicts Kim Keon Hee and Han Ducksoo in martial law probe

South Korean special prosecutors on Friday indicted former first lady Kim Keon Hee and ex-prime minister Han Ducksoo as part of widening probes into last December's aborted imposition of martial law and alleged misconduct tied to the presidency of ousted leader Yoon Suk Yeol. The actions come amid three special investigations launched under President Lee Jae Myung that have already ensnared senior military and police figures and deepened legal jeopardy for the former president and his allies.

Prosecutors charged Kim with bribery, violations of financial market and political funding laws, stock manipulation and related offenses, saying the allegations involved business owners, religious figures and a political broker. Investigators said the charges include accusations that Kim and Yoon exerted improper influence on the conservative party's candidate selection in 2022. Kim has been detained following a court order earlier this month and faces potential prison terms if convicted. Her lawyers have denied the allegations, and Kim apologized for causing public concern while signaling she will contest the charges.

Han was indicted on counts including abetting Yoon's attempt to impose...