South Korea’s former first lady, Kim Keon Hee, was taken into custody on Tuesday after a Seoul court approved an arrest warrant on multiple corruption charges, including bribery, stock manipulation, and abuse of political influence. The 52-year-old, who denies the allegations, becomes the first former first lady in the nation to be arrested. The court cited concerns she might destroy evidence, granting a special prosecutor’s request as part of a broad investigation into alleged misconduct during and before her husband’s presidency.
Her arrest marks an unprecedented moment in South Korea, with both Kim and her husband impeaching former president Yoon Suk Yeol, now behind bars. Yoon, removed from office in April after a failed attempt to impose martial law, is currently on trial for insurrection. While several past presidents have faced imprisonment, this is the first time a former presidential couple has been detained at the same time, intensifying the country’s ongoing political crisis.
The Seoul Central District Court granted the arrest warrant late Tuesday, agreeing with prosecutors that Kim Keon Hee posed a significant risk of destroying evidence. The investigation stems from allegations that she illegally profited more than 800 million won (about £428,000) through manipulating the shares of Deutsch Motors, a local BMW dealer, between 2009 and 2012. Prosecutors say she conspired with others to artificially inflate stock prices for financial gain.
She also stands accused of accepting over 270 million won worth of illegal political support, including free opinion polling services, to influence candidate selection in the conservative People Power Party’s 2022 by-elections.
In addition, investigators allege she received luxury gifts such as Chanel handbags, a diamond necklace, and a high-value Van Cleef pendant from business and religious figures in exchange for political favors. The pendant, which she wore during the NATO summit in 2022, was reportedly worth around 60 million won ($43,000) and not listed in the couple’s legally required financial disclosures.
Kim Keon Hee, South Korea’s former first lady, was arrested on Tuesday after a Seoul court approved a warrant over allegations of stock manipulation, political influence-peddling, and bribery. The 52-year-old, who has denied all accusations, is the first former first lady in the country’s history to face arrest. The court granted the special prosecutor’s request, citing fears she could tamper with evidence, as part of an extensive probe into alleged misconduct both during and prior to her husband’s presidency.
The special counsel’s office, established in June under new President Lee Jae Myung, has been investigating 16 allegations against Kim, though the current arrest warrant covers only three charges. Prosecutors say further indictments are possible as they examine other scandals, including the so-called “Dior bag” controversy and questions over her revoked academic degrees due to plagiarism. Her detention at the Nambu facility in southwestern Seoul will initially last up to 20 days before formal charges must be filed.
Kim was questioned for more than seven hours last week before prosecutors sought the arrest warrant. During the court hearing, which lasted over four hours, she denied all accusations but expressed frustration that incidents predating her marriage were being raised. Upon arrival at court, dressed in a black suit, she bowed to reporters but did not answer questions. “I sincerely apologize for causing trouble despite being a person of no importance,” she told investigators last week.
Throughout her husband’s presidency, Kim was regarded as an influential figure behind the scenes, with critics accusing her of wielding excessive power. Allegations about her activities were politically contentious, with Yoon repeatedly blocking independent investigations while in office. His removal from power and her subsequent arrest mark a dramatic turn in South Korean politics, extending the country’s long history of presidential scandals and legal battles well beyond the Blue House.
Image credits: Reuters
