The South Korean court issued an arrest warrant for Kim Keon Hee, wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, after a hearing on the evening of August 12. Ms. Kim was accused of being involved in crimes ranging from securities fraud, bribery to illegal abuse of influence, although she denied all allegations.
Kim is currently the only former First Lady in South Korea's history to be detained, and is serving a prison term with her husband - former President Yoon Suk Yeol - who is on trial after being ousted in April for plotting to impose martial law in December 2024.
According to the special prosecutor appointed in June, the arrest warrant was issued on concerns that Ms. Kim could destroy evidence and hinder the investigation. Korean media said the court had approved the argument on the risk of destroying evidence.
Before the trial, Ms. Kim wore black and bowed when she arrived but did not answer the reporter's questions. After the hearing ended, she was taken to a detention center in Seoul City to await a verdict, according to records.
The charges against her include wearing a Van Cleef necklace worth more than 60 million won ($43,300) while attending the NATO Summit with her husband in 2022. According to the indictment, this item was not declared in the property declaration according to the law.
Kim was also accused of receiving two Chanel bags worth a total of 20 million won (14,400 USD) and a diamond necklace from a religious group, which was believed to be in exchange for a beneficial impact on their business interests.
Prosecutor Oh Jeong-hee said Ms. Kim stated that the necklace was counterfeit goods purchased in Hong Kong 20 years ago, but the prosecution confirmed that it was genuine and given to her by a domestic construction company at the conference.
Ms. Kim's lawyer has not made the latest comment but has previously denied all allegations, considering the information about the gifts to be baseless speculation.
For his part, former President Yoon is facing charges of rebellion, which could result in life in prison or the death penalty, along with many other crimes such as abuse of power. Mr. Yoon denied the violation, refused to attend the trial and did not cooperate with the prosecution.
