Prosecutors in South Korea aim to detain the ex-First Lady, Kim, under a warrant. - Investigators in South Korea are applying for an arrest warrant for the country's ex-First Lady, Kim.
South Korean Prosecutors Seek Arrest Warrant for Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee
South Korean prosecutors have requested an arrest warrant for former First Lady Kim Keon Hee on multiple serious allegations, including bribery, stock market manipulation, and political influence trafficking. This request came after a seven-hour interrogation of Kim regarding these charges.
The investigation into Kim forms part of three separate probes led by a special prosecutor appointed under President Lee Jae Myung's administration. Allegedly, Kim violated capital market regulations, financial investment laws, and political funding statutes. Prosecutors also examined claims that she exerted undue influence on candidate selections for the conservative party during a 2022 parliamentary by-election.
The legal action is historically significant because it coincides with the detention of her husband, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is in custody over his controversial imposition of martial law in December 2024. Should the court approve the warrant, it would mark the first time in South Korea that both a former president and first lady face arrest simultaneously.
If an arrest warrant is issued for Kim, it would also be a first in South Korea's history where a former president and a former first lady are both incarcerated simultaneously. The arrest warrant was formally requested at 1:21 p.m. local time on August 7, 2025.
In early December, former President Yoon declared martial law, plunging South Korea into a deep political crisis. However, the reason given for Yoon's declaration was a budget dispute. The Prosecutors' Office attempted to summon Yoon for questioning regarding the allegations against his wife, but this was unsuccessful due to "strong resistance from the suspect."
Kim is also accused of interfering in the nomination process for party members, which violates election laws. Additionally, she is facing bribery allegations in the "Dior bag scandal" for reportedly accepting a handbag from the French luxury brand.
During the seven-hour interrogation, local media reports suggest that Kim denied the allegations. However, the details of her denial have not been made public. The interrogation took place on Wednesday, according to previous information.
The arrest warrant for Kim comes at a time when South Korea is grappling with political instability. With both former President Yoon and his wife facing legal troubles, the country's political landscape is likely to undergo significant changes in the coming months.
- The arrest warrant requested by South Korean prosecutors for former First Lady Kim Keon Hee, including charges of bribery, stock market manipulation, and political influence trafficking, falls under the categories of crime-and-justice and politics.
- The current South Korean political landscape is experiencing significant changes, as both former President Yoon Suk Yeol and former First Lady Kim Keon Hee face arrest warrants, making this the first time in South Korea's history that a former president and former first lady could be incarcerated simultaneously, within the sphere of general-news.
