Court to decide on arrest warrant for ex-South Korean first lady
In a historic move for South Korean politics, former first lady Kim Keon-hee was arrested on August 12, 2025, becoming the first former first lady in the country's history to be taken into custody. The arrest came following a detention hearing at Seoul Central District Court, where the judge expressed concerns that Kim might destroy evidence.
Kim faces multiple charges, including involvement in a stock manipulation scheme related to Deutsche Motors, interference in candidate nominations for the 2022 parliamentary by-elections, and acceptance of luxury gifts from the Unification Church.
The investigation into Kim began on July 2, 2025, and the arrest came 41 days into the probe, demonstrating significant momentum in the case. The special counsel's investigation has expanded, with authorities requesting a detention warrant for the shaman Jeon Seong-bae, accusing him of delivering luxury gifts to Kim and lobbying for business and political favors.
In addition, investigators have issued a nationwide wanted notice for Lee Ki-hoon, a key figure accused of orchestrating the stock manipulation scheme with Kim, who fled a court hearing recently. Authorities have also conducted raids related to a contractor implicated in the Yangpyeong Expressway scandal, which may have been altered to benefit Kim's family.
The charges against Kim include stock fraud, bribery, and illegal influence peddling. The luxury Van Cleef pendant, worth more than 60 million won, was not listed in the couple's financial disclosure as required by law. The pendant was allegedly not declared during a NATO summit in 2022.
Ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim's husband, is currently in jail, facing trial following his ouster in April. Yoon is on trial on charges of insurrection, which could result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty. The bribe, alleged to have been from a religious group in exchange for influence favorable to their business interests, has also implicated business owners, religious figures, and a political power broker.
During her court appearance, Kim wore a black suit and did not answer reporters' questions or make a statement. A judge will decide whether to approve a special prosecutor's request for a warrant to arrest Kim Keon-hee. If detained, Kim would be the only former South Korean first lady to be arrested. Kim's lawyers have denied the accusations against her and dismissed news reports about the gifts she allegedly received as groundless speculation.
The general-news, crime-and-justice sectors have been abuzz with the arrest of former South Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee, who was taken into custody on August 12, 2025, marking a significant event in the country's politics. Kim's arrest stems from charges including stock manipulation, interference in political nominations, acceptance of luxury gifts, and failure to disclose a Van Cleef pendant worth over 60 million won, as required by law.
