Former South Korean First Lady Kom Keon Hee Detained After Her Husband

Yoon Suk Yeol (at that time served as President of South Korea) with wife Kim Keon Hee / DOK BETWEEN PHOTOS / Galih Pradipta / Nym.

JAKARTA - Former South Korean first lady, Kim Keon Hee, was immediately detained after a court on Tuesday night issued an arrest warrant following allegations of corruption.

Kim will be the only former South Korean first lady to be detained, joining her husband, former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Yoon is now facing trial for a failed attempt to impose a military emergency in December 2024. The military emergency saw Yoon ousted in April.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported on Tuesday, August 12, Kim Keon Hee, wearing a black suit, bowed upon arrival in court, but did not answer reporters' questions or give statements.

After the trial ended, Kim went waiting for the verdict at the detention center in Seoul.

Kim Keon Hee was charged with stock fraud cases to bribery and trafficking of illegal influences involving business owners, religious leaders, and political power brokers.

Kim is suspected of violating the law regarding Van Cleef's luxury pulpit which is reported to be worth more than 60 million won ($43,000) while attending the NATO summit with her husband in 2022.

These items are not listed in the couple's financial statements as required by law, according to the indictment.

Kim is also accused of receiving two Chanel bags worth 20 million won and a diamond necklace from a religious group as a bribe to gain influence that benefits the group's business interests.

Prosecutors are asking for Kim's arrest because Kim's risk of damaging evidence and disrupting the investigation, a spokesman for the special prosecutor's team said at a press conference after the trial.