South Korea’s Former First Lady Kim Arrested

South Korea’s former first lady, Kim Keon Hee, was arrested late on Tuesday in connection with multiple charges, including stock manipulation and corruption, prosecutors announced.

The arrest followed hours after the Seoul Central District Court reviewed prosecutors’ request for an arrest warrant against the 52-year-old.

The court granted the warrant, citing the risk of tampering with evidence, after prosecutors submitted an 848-page dossier outlining Kim’s alleged “unlawful acts”.

With her arrest, South Korea has, for the first time in its history, both a former president and first lady behind bars simultaneously.

Charges and Allegations

Kim faces a range of legal accusations, including:

The arrest marks the culmination of a dramatic downfall for the ex-first couple following former president Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial martial law declaration on 3 December, which involved the deployment of soldiers to parliament but was quickly voted down by opposition MPs.

Yoon, a former top prosecutor, was impeached and removed from office in April due to the martial law declaration, prompting a snap election in June. He has been detained since 10 July.

Recent Investigation

• Last week, Kim underwent hours-long questioning by prosecutors.
• The following day, authorities filed for her arrest warrant.

Upon arriving at the prosecutors’ office on Wednesday, Kim apologised publicly, saying:

“I sincerely apologise for causing trouble despite being a person of no importance.”

Public scrutiny of Kim has persisted for years, particularly regarding her alleged involvement in stock manipulation.

In 2022, criticism intensified when a left-wing pastor filmed himself presenting her with a Dior handbag, which she appeared to accept. She is also accused of interfering in MP nominations, potentially violating election laws.

During her husband’s presidency, Yoon vetoed three special investigation bills passed by the opposition-controlled parliament, which sought to probe the allegations against Kim. The last veto was issued in late November, followed by Yoon’s martial law declaration a week later.

Prison Conditions

Following her arrest:

Due to current heatwave conditions, Kim’s cell lacks air-conditioning. While she would normally be detained alongside her husband, prosecutors requested she be held at a separate facility approximately 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) away.

Upon the issuance of the warrant, her Presidential Security Service protection was terminated immediately.

Legal Process and Potential Detention

Legal expert Kim Nam-ju explained:

• Kim can be held for up to 20 days while prosecutors prepare a formal indictment.
• Once indicted, she could remain detained for up to six months.
• She may challenge the warrant in court, but given the risk of evidence destruction, revocation is unlikely.
• Bail is a theoretical option but is generally not granted under concerns of evidence tampering.

This historic arrest underscores the extraordinary political turmoil in South Korea, with the former first couple now facing serious legal consequences amid the nation’s scrutiny.