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South Korea Arrests Former First Lady Kim Keon-hee
Historic move in South Korea — Former First Lady Kim Keon-hee arrested over bribery, fraud, and influence-peddling allegations, joining her impeached husband in jail.
ND
by News Desk
2025-08-12
South Korea Arrests Former First Lady Kim Keon-hee

A South Korean court has approved the arrest of Kim Keon-hee, wife of impeached and jailed former President Yoon Suk-yeol, marking the first time a former first lady has been taken into custody in the country’s history.

Kim appeared in court on Tuesday for a five-hour hearing, during which prosecutors requested an arrest warrant on charges including stock fraud, bribery, and illegal influence-peddling. The allegations implicate business owners, religious leaders, and political power brokers.

The 51-year-old is accused of failing to disclose a luxury Van Cleef pendant worth over 60 million won ($43,000) that she wore during the 2022 NATO summit, allegedly gifted by a domestic construction company to gain political favour. She is also accused of receiving Chanel handbags and a diamond necklace worth 20 million won ($14,500) from a religious group in exchange for influence.

Prosecutors argued for her arrest, citing the risk of evidence destruction and interference with the ongoing investigation. Kim reportedly told investigators the pendant was a fake purchased two decades ago in Hong Kong — a claim prosecutors dispute.

Her husband, former President Yoon, was removed from office in April over a failed attempt to impose martial law in December. He is currently facing charges of insurrection — which carry a possible life sentence or death penalty — along with abuse of power. Yoon has denied wrongdoing and refused to attend court proceedings.

The arrests of both the former president and first lady mark an unprecedented chapter in South Korea’s political and judicial history, underscoring the nation’s zero-tolerance approach to corruption at the highest levels of power.
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