Former South Korean First Lady Sent to Prison Following Court-Issued Warrant

South Korea’s former first lady, Kim Keon Hee, was arrested late Tuesday after a Seoul court issued a warrant, marking her as the first ex-first lady in the nation’s history to be imprisoned.

The arrest stems from a special investigation into claims of stock fraud, bribery, and influence peddling—allegations Kim strongly denies.

Kim, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is also locked up and facing trial for insurrection and abuse of power, showed up to court earlier that day in a sharp black suit.

She gave a polite bow to reporters but didn’t say a word before the hearing. The court decided to detain her, worried she might tamper with evidence, according to Yonhap news.

• Former South Korean First Lady Kim Keon Hee Arrested Over Stock Fraud and Bribery Allegations
• Kim Keon Hee Becomes First Ex-First Lady in South Korea to Face Prison Following Court Warrant
• Political Turmoil Deepens as Kim Keon Hee and Ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol Face Criminal Charges

The charges against Kim are no small matter. Prosecutors say she broke the law by wearing a fancy Van Cleef pendant—worth more than 60 million won ($43,000)—at a 2022 NATO summit without listing it in the couple’s financial disclosures. They claim a construction company gifted her the pendant, but Kim says it’s a fake she picked up in Hong Kong 20 years ago. She’s also accused of taking two Chanel bags, worth 20 million won, and a diamond necklace from a religious group as bribes to pull strings for their business interests.

The special prosecutor’s team, led by Oh Jeong-hee, said locking Kim up was critical to keep her from meddling with the investigation. Her lawyers have pushed back hard, calling the accusations baseless and brushing off reports about the gifts as pure gossip.

Also Read: South Korea Court to Decide on Former First Lady's Arrest

Kim’s arrest adds fuel to the political firestorm surrounding her husband, Yoon, who was ousted in April after a botched attempt to impose martial law last December. Yoon faces serious charges, including insurrection, which could land him in prison for life or worse. He’s refused to show up to court or talk to prosecutors. This dramatic case has South Koreans glued to the news, sparking heated conversations about trust and accountability in the nation’s leadership.