South Korea: Former First Lady Arrested in Corruption Scandal

Former South Korean First Lady Kim Keon Hee was arrested on August 12 on charges of bribery, stock manipulation, and abuse of political influence. The charges relate to actions allegedly committed during the term of her husband, former President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Kim is accused of stock manipulation that generated hundreds of thousands of dollars, as well as helping a politician secure the nomination in a 2022 by-election. She also faces charges of bribery, including a diamond necklace and two Chanel bags from an executive of the Unification Church.

The country's new president, Lee Jae-myung, appointed a special prosecutor who questioned Kim for 11 hours and requested an arrest warrant. Kim apologized for the "concern she caused to the people."

Authorities are investigating other corruption cases, including a Van Cleef pendant worth $43,200, which was allegedly gifted to Kim and not declared.

Yoon, a former prosecutor, had stated that he would "take the stones" for his wife's sake. Kim's mother was sentenced in 2023 to one year in prison for forging bank documents.

During Yoon's election campaign, Kim apologized for "inflating" her resume. Videos also surfaced showing her accepting a Dior bag and recordings in which she called her husband "foolish."