South Korea’s Former First Lady Kim Arrested

South Korea’s Former first lady, Kim, arrested in a corruption case

South Korea’s former first lady and wife of former President Yoon Suk-yol, Kim Kyon-hee, has been arrested on charges of stock manipulation, election interference, and bribery. According to Yonhap news agency, the arrest came as part of an investigation by special prosecutor Min Jung-ki’s team, which accuses Kim of several serious financial and political crimes.

The Seoul Central District Court approved the arrest warrant on Tuesday, saying Kim might tamper with evidence. The warrant was requested by a special prosecutor’s team investigating violations of the Capital Market Act, the Political Funds Act and the Anti-Bribery Law. The prosecution argued that Kim posed a serious risk of destroying evidence, while her legal team cited health problems and her uncooperative attitude.
Advertisement

Allegations and past cases

Kim is accused of manipulating the stock price of Deutsche Motors between 2009 and 2012. In addition, there are allegations of interfering with candidate selection in the 2022 by-election and the 2024 general elections and accepting expensive gifts from the Unification Church, which were allegedly given in exchange for business benefits. The investigation also includes changing the endpoint of a highway to benefit his family’s land and favoritism in a local apartment project.

Earlier statements and apologies

During the interrogation last week, Kim apologised for causing public concern, calling himself “an ordinary person”, though he denied all the allegations. A total of 16 charges are under investigation. This arrest will give further strength to the inquiry and help gather new evidence in related cases. Also read- BAPS Swaminarayan temple signboard vandalised in Indiana, US, Indian embassy condemns. Simultaneous action against the presidential couple. In July, former President Yoon Suk-yeol was arrested for the second time on charges of attempting to impose martial law. This made the couple the first former presidential couple in South Korea to be in jail together. Kim has been kept at the Seoul Southern Detention Center, while her husband is lodged at the Seoul Detention Center.