Former President Yoon Suk Yeol has been referred to prosecutors on charges of making false statements regarding allegations that his spouse, Kim Keon-hee, was involved in Deutsch Motors stock manipulation during the presidential election campaign.

The National Police Agency's Special Investigation Headquarters for Transferred Cases from the Three Special Counsels forwarded former President Yoon to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office without detention today (July 29) on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act by publishing false information.

Former President Yoon is accused of publicizing false facts for the purpose of winning the election by stating during candidate debates and other occasions between October 2021 and February 2022—while he was a candidate for the 20th presidential election—regarding allegations of Kim's involvement in Deutsch Motors stock manipulation, to the effect that "she only suffered losses, so we cut ties with that person," and "Kim Keon-hee has no record of participating in stock manipulation."

The Special Investigation Headquarters explained that it decided on the referral after comprehensively reviewing the relevant facts and precedents, concluding that the charges were established.

Some of the charges that Kim participated in Deutsch Motors stock manipulation were recognized as guilty up to the second trial, and the case is currently awaiting a ruling by the Supreme Court en banc.