Decision pending on warrant for arrest of ex-South Korean first lady
Former South Korean First Lady Kim Keon Hee has been arrested on accusations of graft, marking a historic moment as she is the first first lady in South Korea to be detained[1][2].
On August 12, the Seoul Central District Court arrested Kim, who is facing charges of involvement in a stock manipulation scheme, election meddling, bribery, and accepting illicit political funds[1]. She is currently held in solitary confinement at the Seoul Southern Detention Center and has been questioned multiple times by a special counsel team[1].
Kim's legal troubles come as her husband, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, is also in jail, facing trial following his ouster in April[1][2]. Yoon is on trial on charges of insurrection, which could result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty[1].
The charges against Kim include stock fraud, bribery, and illegal influence peddling[1]. She is accused of receiving two Chanel bags together valued at 20 million won and a diamond necklace from a religious group as a bribe[1]. The gifts were allegedly received in return for influence favorable to the religious group's business interests[1].
However, Kim's lawyers have denied the accusations against her and dismissed news reports about the gifts as groundless speculation[1]. Kim was also accused of breaking the law by wearing a luxury Van Cleef pendant worth more than 60 million won (1.4 million baht) at a NATO summit in 2022[1].
If arrested, Kim would be the only former South Korean first lady to be detained. The court is expected to announce its decision on whether to arrest Kim late on Tuesday or overnight[1].
The charges have implicated business owners, religious figures, and a political power broker[1]. Yoon faces charges of abuse of power in addition to insurrection[1]. The court is currently considering a special prosecutor's request for a warrant to arrest Kim on these accusations[1].
South Korea's former first lady, Kim Keon Hee, appeared in court on Tuesday, but she has refused to attend trial hearings or be questioned by prosecutors[1]. During her court appearance, she wore a black suit and did not answer questions or make a statement[1].
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-koreas-former-first-lady-arrested-graft-charges-2023-08-12/ [2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/12/south-koreas-former-first-lady-arrested-over-graft-accusations
- The general-news and crime-and-justice sectors are abuzz about the arrest of South Korea's former First Lady, Kim Keon Hee, on graft charges, as she is the first ever South Korean first lady to be detained.
- In addition to the charges faced by her husband, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is also in jail, Kim is implicated in stock fraud, bribery, and illegal influence peddling cases, as reported by the local and international media.
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