Criminal with extensive criminal history of 44 records allowed to roam freely before deadly shootout in Kuala Lumpur, inquiries MP over
Former South Korean First Lady Kim Keon-hee Faces Allegations of Stock Manipulation, Bribery, and Political Interference
Former South Korean First Lady Kim Keon-hee is currently under investigation for various corruption-related charges, including stock manipulation, bribery, and political interference. This marks a significant political and legal scandal in South Korea, with Kim becoming the first former first lady to face such public questioning and investigation by special prosecutors.
The allegations against Kim stretch back to her involvement in stock price manipulation and possible connections to a group called "BP Family." She is also accused of interfering in the nomination process for Members of Parliament (MPs) in Yoon Suk Yeol's party, a violation of election laws. Despite an acquittal by the Seoul Central District Attorney's Office anti-corruption division in October 2024, special prosecutors sought an arrest warrant for Kim in mid-2025, signaling renewed or ongoing investigations.
Yoon, as the former president, vetoed three special investigation bills passed by the opposition-controlled parliament that aimed to probe the allegations against Kim. Yoon was impeached and removed from office in April due to his martial law declaration, and he remains in detention. Prosecutors are now seeking an arrest warrant for Kim following her interrogation.
The investigation has been further fuelled by a 2022 video that emerged showing Kim accepting a Dior handbag from a self-proclaimed fan, which has attracted significant public criticism. Kim allegedly accepted luxury gifts, including the designer handbag, in violation of anti-graft laws. If granted, this would be the first time in South Korean history that a former president and first lady were both arrested.
As Kim entered the special prosecutor's office in Seoul, she expressed her apologies, saying, "I sincerely apologise for causing trouble despite being a person of no importance. I will cooperate fully with the investigation." Supporters of Kim and Yoon gathered outside the prosecutors' office, displaying national flags and signs advocating for fairness in the investigation.
This high-profile scandal has attracted significant attention, both from the public and the legal system, reflecting the gravity of the allegations against Kim Keon-hee.
[1] [Source for the public apology and questioning in August 2025] [2] [Source for the acquittal of charges by anti-corruption division in October 2024] [3] [Source for the special prosecutors seeking arrest warrant in mid-2025]
- The ongoing investigation of Former South Korean First Lady Kim Keon-hee for stock manipulation, bribery, and political interference has attracted widespread attention in the realm of general-news and crime-and-justice, with special prosecutors seeking an arrest warrant following her public apology in August 2025.
- Despite an acquittal by the Seoul Central District Attorney's Office anti-corruption division in October 2024, the renewed investigation into Kim Keon-hee's alleged stock price manipulation, violation of election laws, and acceptance of luxury gifts has led to parliamentary discussions about the prosecution's role, as evidenced by the Special prosecutors seeking an arrest warrant in mid-2025.
- Given the gravity of the allegations against Former South Korean First Lady Kim Keon-hee, such as stock manipulation, political interference, and violation of anti-graft laws, the investigation has sparked debate in the parliament and the law sector, with some calling for stricter laws to prevent such incidents in the future, particularly in the context of crime-and-justice and politics.
