Kim Keon Hee, the wife of South Korea's imprisoned ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol, has been arrested amid a number of serious allegations, including stock manipulation and bribery. During a four-hour court hearing in Seoul, Kim, aged 52, denied all charges but the court deemed it necessary to issue a detention warrant, citing potential concerns over evidence destruction.
South Korea has recently witnessed a series of political scandals, with former presidents often facing indictments and imprisonment. However, this marks a key moment as it is the first instance where both a former president and first lady have been incarcerated simultaneously. Yoon Suk Yeol had been detained earlier this year to stand trial over a failed bid to impose martial law, an event that significantly destabilized the nation and ultimately led to his removal from office.
Prosecutors allege that Kim engaged in a price-rigging operation that earned her over 800 million won (approximately $577,940; £428,000) related to the stocks of Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealership in South Korea. While these activities reportedly took place before her husband ascended to the presidency, they have cast a long shadow over his administration.
In addition to stock manipulation, Kim is accused of accepting lavish gifts including two Chanel bags and a diamond necklace as bribes from the controversial Unification Church in return for favorable business dealings. Additional charges include her alleged interference in candidate nominations during the 2022 parliamentary by-elections and the subsequent elections in 2023.
Appearing somber in court wearing a black suit, she expressed remorse, stating, "I sincerely apologize for causing trouble despite being a person of no importance." During his presidency, Yoon had vetoed multiple attempts by opposition figures to initiate a special counsel investigation concerning allegations against Kim, with his final veto issued just a week before he announced martial law.
As tensions in South Korean politics continue to rise, this unprecedented situation remains under close scrutiny, revealing the complexities and struggles within the nation's political fabric.
