South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon Hee has been arrested on corruption charges, creating an unprecedented situation where both she and her impeached presidential husband are now in custody. The arrest follows a court ruling that cited concerns about evidence tampering.
Kim Keon Hee, wife of impeached former President Yoon Suk Yeol, was taken into custody on Tuesday after a Seoul court approved her arrest warrant. As former first lady during Yoon’s administration (2022-2025), she becomes the first spouse of a South Korean president to be arrested while their partner is already detained.
The arrest centers on three criminal charges: stock manipulation of Deutsch Motors (a BMW dealership) between 2009-2012, illegal receipt of political funds through manipulated opinion polling services, and acceptance of luxury gifts from the Unification Church. Prosecutors allege she received Chanel handbags and jewelry in exchange for influencing Cambodian development projects.
The arrest occurred on August 12, 2025, following a 4.5-hour hearing at Seoul Central District Court. Judge Jeong Jae-wook authorized the warrant citing “concerns about evidence destruction.” Kim will be held at Nambu Detention Centre in Seoul, separate from her husband who was re-detained in July over an attempted martial law imposition.
The charges stem from a special prosecution probe initiated after new President Lee Jae Myung took office in June 2025. Prosecutors claim Kim conspired to inflate Deutsch Motors’ stock price for 800 million won ($428,000) profit, manipulated party candidate selections using 270 million won in illegal funds, and accepted bribes through a shaman intermediary.
This marks a historic moment in South Korea’s political accountability, as no former presidential couple has been simultaneously detained. The case amplifies scrutiny over elite corruption and follows Kim’s recent academic degree revocations for plagiarism. Her arrest deepens the legal troubles surrounding Yoon’s administration, which ended with his impeachment.
The impact extends beyond the couple, potentially reshaping South Korea’s conservative opposition. The case reinforces the country’s pattern of prosecuting former leaders but raises concerns about political vendettas. Kim’s alleged involvement in candidate selection suggests systemic corruption within party structures.
Next steps include formal indictment within weeks and a likely high-profile trial. Prosecutors continue investigating 13 additional allegations beyond the current charges. The case may influence upcoming local elections and test judicial independence amid heightened political polarization.