Kim Keon Hee, South Korea’s former first lady, was taken into custody on Tuesday night after a court approved her arrest over alleged corruption, a charge she disputes. The move marks a pivotal moment in an expanding special investigation.
Kim Keon Hee is now the first former first lady in South Korea’s history to be jailed, joining her husband, ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol, who awaits trial after his removal from office over a failed push to declare martial law.
Wearing a black suit, Kim Keon Hee bowed silently at court and was then moved to a Seoul detention center to await the judge’s ruling.
The special prosecutor announced that the court authorized Kim’s detention warrant, though no further information was disclosed.
Kim is charged with stock fraud, bribery, and illegal influence involving business, religious, and political figures, facing years in prison.
Kim is being investigated for wearing a Van Cleef necklace worth over 60 million won ($43,000) at the 2022 NATO summit with her husband.
The pendant was reportedly missing from the couple’s required financial disclosures. Kim faces allegations of receiving luxury gifts from a religious group in exchange for influence.
Prosecutors asked to arrest Kim because they worry she could destroy evidence or block the investigation.
Kim told prosecutors the pendant was a fake bought 20 years ago, but they say it’s real and was a gift from a local construction firm for the summit.
Lawyers didn’t respond to any filthy accusation lent by lawyers and considered them as baseless attribution.
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Yoon is on trial for revolt, facing life or death sentences. He denies the charges and has avoided court and questioning.
