A South Korean court has ordered the arrest of Kim Keon Hee, the wife of jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The arrest, which came late Tuesday night, makes her the first former first lady in the country’s history to be taken into custody. This also marks the first time a former presidential couple has been simultaneously detained.
The Seoul Central District Court granted a special prosecutor’s request for an arrest warrant, citing the risk of Kim destroying evidence. Kim faces multiple charges, including stock price manipulation, bribery, and political influence peddling. Prosecutors allege that she was involved in a stock price manipulation scheme related to a local BMW dealership and that she received luxury gifts, including a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace and Chanel handbags, as bribes in exchange for business favors.
The investigation into Kim is one of three special prosecutor probes launched by the new liberal government following Yoon’s removal from office in April and subsequent re-arrest last month over his attempt to impose martial law in December. Her husband, former President Yoon, who is currently in detention, has also resisted attempts to be questioned about his wife’s case. Kim’s lawyers have consistently denied all accusations against her.