Arrest Marks Historic First
South Korea saw an unprecedented development on August 12, 2025, as Kim Keon‑Hee, the wife of imprisoned former President Yoon Suk Yeol, was officially arrested. A Seoul court granted a special prosecutor’s request for an arrest warrant—citing concerns she might destroy evidence—making her the first ex–First Lady to be detained in the nation’s history.
Her arrest comes as part of one of three ongoing special prosecutor investigations launched by President Lee Jae Myung’s new liberal administration, targeting the legacy of Yoon’s presidency and associated scandals.
Serious Allegations: From Luxury Gifts to Stock Fraud
Kim faces a range of serious charges, including:
- Stock manipulation, notably involving shares in Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealership. Prosecutors allege she earned over 800 million won (≈ US $428,000) by artificially inflating stock prices.
- Bribery, with accusations including acceptance of luxury items—such as Chanel handbags, a suggestively expensive Van Cleef & Arpels pendant, and a diamond necklace—from religious groups and business figures in exchange for political influence.
- Influence-peddling, including alleged interference in candidate selection processes for the conservative People Power Party during the 2022 by-elections.
During prior questioning, Kim denied all charges but offered a vague apology for stirring public concern, calling herself “someone insignificant.”
Separate Detention and Court Proceedings
Following the issuance of the warrant, Kim was taken into custody and is being held at the Seoul Nambu Detention Center, separate from her husband, who remains incarcerated on rebellion and insurrection-related charges.
Investigators plan further interrogations, with a detention period that can extend up to 20 days before formal charges are filed.
Political Shockwaves and Symbolic Weight
Kim’s arrest represents a dramatic escalation in South Korean politics—marking the first time both spouses of a former president are simultaneously detained over criminal allegations. It underscores the liberal government’s commitment to holding previous administrations accountable, even at the highest levels.
Prosecutors are also probing Kim and Yoon’s roles in the failed martial law imposition of December 2024, which contributed to Yoon’s impeachment and removal from office, solidifying the ongoing dismantling of the former president’s political influence.
This landmark arrest lays bare the intensity of South Korea’s political reckoning and sets the stage for further revelations in an investigation that continues to unravel the inner workings of the previous administration.
