South Korea's Former First Lady Arrested Amid Scandal

In a notable development, Kim Keon Hee, the wife of jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol, has been arrested in South Korea for multiple allegations, including stock manipulation and bribery, marking a historic moment as both leaders face legal repercussions.

The wife of South Korea's incarcerated ex-president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has been taken into custody over a series of serious allegations ranging from stock manipulation to bribery. During a courtroom session in Seoul on Tuesday, former first lady Kim Keon Hee firmly denied all accusations; however, a judge granted a detention warrant on the grounds that she might destroy evidence.

This incident marks a significant chapter in South Korea's political history, where a number of former presidents have faced criminal charges and imprisonment. Yet, it is unprecedented for both a former president and the former first lady to be in jail simultaneously. Yoon Suk Yeol was detained earlier in January, pending trial for an attempted martial law that resulted in widespread unrest and his eventual removal from office.

Prosecutors assert that 52-year-old Kim profited over 800 million won (approximately $577,940 or £428,000) through her involvement in a stock price manipulation scheme tied to Deutsch Motors, a South Korean BMW dealership. Although these alleged activities took place prior to her husband's election, they have persisted as a troubling background throughout his time in office. Furthermore, she is accused of accepting luxurious items, including two Chanel handbags and a diamond necklace, as bribes from the controversial Unification Church in exchange for favorable business decisions.

In addition to these allegations, Kim has been implicated in interfering with candidate selections during the parliamentary by-elections of 2022 and the general elections that occurred the following year. Donning a black suit and skirt during the court proceedings, Kim expressed regret to reporters, stating, “I sincerely apologize for causing trouble despite being a person of no importance.”

During his presidency, Yoon vetoed three opposition-initiated laws aimed at pursuing a special counsel investigation into the allegations against Kim, with the last veto coming just a week before his controversial martial law declaration. Following Yoon's political rival, Lee Jae Myung, taking office, a special counsel investigation was established in June this year to probe the allegations surrounding Kim.