Chisom umejiaku
Kim Keon-hee, wife of impeached and jailed former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol, has been arrested on charges of bribery, stock manipulation, and political interference.
A Seoul court issued the arrest warrant on Tuesday, citing concerns she could destroy evidence. Prosecutors allege Kim accepted undeclared luxury gifts, including Chanel handbags, a diamond necklace, and a Van Cleef pendant worth more than 60 million won (about $43,000). She is also accused of orchestrating a stock price-rigging scheme involving Deutsch Motors, allegedly profiting over 800 million won, and of meddling in her party’s candidate selection during the 2022 by-elections.
The charges include violations of South Korea’s capital markets, financial investment, and political funds laws. Kim has denied all allegations, with her lawyers calling them politically motivated. She claims some of the items in question, such as the Van Cleef pendant, were fakes purchased years earlier.
Kim is being held in solitary confinement at the Seoul Nambu Detention Centre, separate from her husband’s facility. The arrest makes her and Yoon the first presidential couple in South Korea’s history to be imprisoned at the same time.
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Her detention is part of one of three special investigations launched by President Lee Jae-myung’s administration following Yoon’s removal from office in April. Prosecutors questioned her for seven hours before seeking the warrant.
Kim apologised for causing public concern but described herself as “someone insignificant.” She is expected to face trial in the coming months.