Wednesday 13 / August / 2025
Seoul: South Korea's former first lady Kim Keon Hee became the first in the country's history to be arrested.
The charges against the wife of impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol include stock fraud, bribery and influence peddling, charges punishable by years in prison.
The 52-year-old has denied the accusations against her, according to a special prosecutor leading the investigation.
Kim underwent hours-long questioning last week, with the prosecutors filing for her arrest warrant the day afterwards.
"I sincerely apologise for causing trouble despite being a person of no importance," Kim said upon arrival at the prosecutors' office.
What are the allegations against Kim Keon Hee?
One of the charges against Kim came as a result of an incident in 2022, when she attended a NATO summit with her husband wearing a luxury Van Cleef pendant reportedly worth $43,000 (€37,000).
The item was not listed in the couple's financial disclosure as the local law requires.
Kim said the luxury pendant was a fake bought 20 years ago in Hong Kong, with the prosecution found that the piece of jewelry was in fact genuine.
Additionally, Kim is accused of receiving two Chanel bags valued at $14,500, as well as a diamond necklace, as a bribe from a religious group in return for influence regarding the group's business interests.
The prosecution ordered that Kim be arrested due to fears she would destroy evidence and interfere with the investigation, the spokesperson said.
Kim's husband Yoon, too, faces trial following his ouster in April due to a failed bid to impose martial law in South Korea. His insurrection charges could be punished by life in jail or even a death sentence.
