Kim Keon Hee, former first lady and wife of ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, has been arrested in connection with a wide-ranging corruption probe involving alleged bribery, stock manipulation, and political interference.
The Seoul Central District Court approved a special prosecutor’s request for her arrest late Tuesday, citing fears she might destroy evidence. Kim, who declined to speak to reporters upon arrival, is being held at a detention facility in southern Seoul, separate from her husband. She is expected to face further questioning Thursday, with prosecutors allowed to detain her for up to 20 days before filing formal charges.
Her arrest marks the first time in South Korea’s history that both a former president and first lady have been jailed at the same time. Yoon, a conservative leader removed from office in April, was rearrested last month over his failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024.
Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki’s investigation into Kim centers on several allegations, including:
Pressuring the conservative People Power Party to nominate a preferred candidate in a 2022 legislative by-election, allegedly at the request of election broker Myung Tae-kyun.
Accepting luxury gifts, possibly via an intermediary linked to the Unification Church seeking government favors.
Participating in a stock manipulation scheme tied to a BMW dealership.
This week, investigators also arrested a close associate of Kim accused of leveraging their relationship to secure millions in investments. Authorities raided a construction company suspected of purchasing a $43,000 luxury necklace for her—a claim she denies, insisting the item was not genuine.
During his presidency, Yoon blocked all efforts to investigate his wife, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated. Following his removal from office, new liberal President Lee Jae Myung authorized three separate probes: Yoon’s martial law order, the corruption accusations against Kim, and an alleged cover-up of a marine’s drowning during a 2023 flood rescue.
Yoon’s brief martial law decree was overturned within hours after lawmakers broke through military blockades to reclaim authority. He was impeached in December and removed from office in April. Now back in prison on rebellion charges, Yoon has continued to resist questioning about his wife’s case.
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