South Korean court issues arrest warrant for former first lady on multiple charges

A South Korean court on issued an arrest warrant for former First Lady Kim Keon Hee, ordering her immediate incarceration on charges including stock manipulation, election meddling, and bribery.

Kim was taken into custody and transferred to Seoul Southern Detention Center following a court hearing earlier in the day, Caliber.Az reports, citing Korean media.

The decision marks a historic moment, as she and her husband, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, become the first presidential couple in South Korea to be jailed simultaneously. Yoon was arrested last month over allegations he attempted to impose martial law in December.

The Seoul Central District Court granted the warrant five days after it was requested by the team of Special Counsel Min Joong-ki, who is investigating Kim for alleged violations of the Capital Market Act, the Political Funds Act, and a law concerning the acceptance of bribes for mediation.

During the court hearing, the special prosecution emphasized concerns that Kim may destroy evidence, citing the seriousness and breadth of the accusations. In contrast, her defense attorneys argued that she had fully cooperated with the investigation and highlighted her poor health as a reason against pre-trial detention.

Kim is accused of playing a central role in a stock price manipulation scheme involving Deutsch Motors, a major BMW dealer in South Korea, between 2009 and 2012. In addition, she faces allegations of interfering in candidate nominations for both the 2022 parliamentary by-elections and the 2024 general elections.

Another major charge involves her alleged acceptance of luxury gifts from the Unification Church through a shaman, reportedly in return for business favors. The scope of the special counsel’s investigation extends to 16 criminal allegations, including claims that the endpoint of an expressway project was altered to benefit land owned by Kim’s family in Yangpyeong, and that the family received preferential treatment in an apartment development project in the same area.

Appearing before the special counsel team, she apologized while appearing for questioning by the, calling herself "a nobody" who has caused concern to the people. However, during questioning, she reportedly denied all charges.

Initially, Kim was scheduled to be detained at Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, located just south of the capital. However, due to her husband’s current incarceration at that facility, special prosecutors requested a transfer to Seoul Southern Detention Center, a request the court ultimately approved.

By Vafa Guliyeva