In South Korean history, it's been recorded that ex-First Lady Kim Keon‐Hee has been taken into custody due to allegations of corruption, making her the first former First Lady to face such charges.
Former South Korean First Lady Kim Keon-hee Arrested on Multiple Charges
In a historic turn of events, Kim Keon-hee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, was arrested on August 12, 2025. This marks the first time both spouses of a former president are simultaneously detained over criminal allegations in South Korea.
Kim is facing 16 criminal charges, including stock manipulation, bribery, and illegal influence-peddling. The charges are centered around various activities, such as manipulating the stock price of Deutsch Motors (a BMW dealer) between 2009 and 2012, accepting luxury items like Chanel handbags, a Van Cleef & Arpels pendant, and a diamond necklace in exchange for political influence, interfering illegally in candidate nominations for the 2022 parliamentary by-elections and the 2024 general elections, and allegedly using her position for influence-peddling.
The stock manipulation charge involves shares in Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealership, and alleged earnings of over 800 million won (≈ US $428,000) by artificially inflating stock prices. The investigation continues to unravel the inner workings of the previous administration, with Kim's arrest being part of one of three ongoing special prosecutor investigations launched by President Lee Jae Myung's new liberal administration.
The arrest warrant was granted due to concerns that Kim might destroy evidence. She has been held in the Seoul Nambu Detention Centre awaiting trial. During prior questioning, Kim denied all charges but offered a vague apology for stirring public concern, calling herself "someone insignificant."
The arrest underscores the liberal government's commitment to holding previous administrations accountable. The investigations target the legacy of Yoon's presidency and associated scandals, with the failed martial law imposition contributing to Yoon's impeachment and removal from office. Kim's arrest has caused political shockwaves and carries symbolic weight in South Korea, laying bare the intensity of the country's political reckoning.
Kim's detention period can extend up to 20 days before formal charges are filed. The case forms part of a broader political scandal since her husband, former president Yoon Suk Yeol, is also imprisoned on separate charges related to the failed martial law attempt in December 2024. The investigation into Kim and Yoon's roles in the failed martial law imposition continues.
References:
[1] "Former South Korean First Lady Kim Keon-hee Arrested in Corruption Probe." BBC News, BBC, 12 Aug. 2025, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-62822914.
[2] "Ex-South Korean First Lady Kim Keon-hee Arrested on Corruption Charges." Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 12 Aug. 2025, www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/ex-south-korean-first-lady-kim-keon-hee-arrested-corruption-charges-2025-08-12/.
[3] "South Korea's Former First Lady Kim Keon-hee Arrested on Corruption Charges." The New York Times, The New York Times, 12 Aug. 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/world/asia/south-korea-kim-keon-hee-arrest.html.
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