Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee has made history as the first in South Korea to be jailed, marking a new chapter in the nation’s political and legal history. Her husband, former President Yoon Suk Yeol who attempted but failed to impose martial law in December 2024 is also currently detained and awaiting trial on alleged insurrection charges. While four former presidents have served prison time, this is the first time both a president and a first lady have been arrested.
Appearing before a special prosecutors’ team last week, Kim apologized for “causing concern to the public” and described herself as “an insignificant person.” Despite her statement, she has long been entangled in corruption scandals that undermined Yoon’s presidency. Her lawyer denies all charges, pledging to prove her innocence.
During Yoon’s administration, prosecutors avoided indicting Kim, and his veto blocked repeated opposition-led moves to appoint an independent counsel. That changed after President Lee Jae Myung took office on June 3 and signed the independent investigation bill into law. Kim was interrogated for 11 hours on August 6, and on August 12, the court approved her arrest warrant.
She is accused of profiting hundreds of thousands of dollars from stock price manipulation — allegedly while Yoon was still a prosecutor — and of interfering in a ruling party nomination for a June 2022 by-election candidate. Other allegations include receiving a diamond necklace and two Chanel bags from a senior Unification Church official after Yoon’s election victory; the official has been arrested, though the church denies involvement.
Special prosecutors also allege she accepted a Van Cleef pendant worth 60 million won (about USD 43,200) from a Korean businessman, falsely claiming it was a cheap counterfeit. The gift was omitted from her legally required asset filings and is under investigation as possible bribery.
Kim has faced public backlash before, including admitting during Yoon’s campaign that she falsified her résumé to promote her art business. After Yoon’s inauguration, leaked footage showed her accepting a USD 2,200 Dior handbag and calling her husband “an idiot” who “can’t do anything without me.”
Political disputes over allegations against Kim drove Yoon’s presidency into crisis. In October 2024, Yoon declared he would “take the stones” for his wife. Two months later, he attempted to impose martial law, branding the National Assembly a “monster” and “a treasonous force.”
Sources: K14
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