The wife of South Korea’s imprisoned former president Yoon Suk Yeol has been arrested on multiple charges, including stock manipulation and bribery — marking the first time in the country’s
history that both a former president and first lady have been jailed.
Kim Keon Hee, 52, was taken into custody after a four-hour court hearing in Seoul on Tuesday. She denied all accusations, but the court issued a detention warrant, citing concerns she could destroy evidence.
Yoon himself has been in detention since January, awaiting trial over an alleged coup attempt last year that led to political turmoil and his eventual removal from office.
Stock scheme and luxury gifts
Prosecutors allege Kim earned more than 800 million won (\$578,000; £428,000) through a stock price-rigging scheme involving Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealership in South Korea. Although the alleged scheme took place before Yoon became president, it cast a long shadow over his administration.
She is also accused of accepting two Chanel handbags and a diamond necklace from the controversial Unification Church in exchange for business favours.
Political meddling
Kim allegedly influenced candidate nominations in the 2022 parliamentary by-elections and the 2024 general elections.
Arriving at court in a black suit and skirt, Kim appeared solemn and told reporters: “I sincerely apologise for causing trouble despite being a person of no importance.”
Presidency’s shadow
During his term, Yoon vetoed three opposition-led bills calling for a special counsel investigation into allegations against his wife. His final veto came just a week before he declared martial law in November.
After Yoon’s rival, Lee Jae Myung, took office in June, a special counsel was appointed to investigate Kim’s case. Photo by Jeon Han, Wikimedia commons.