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South Korea’s ex-first lady arrested, remanded for corruption

She was also accused of accepting a diamond necklace and Chanel bags as bribes from the Unification Church in exchange for favours.

• August 13, 2025
Kim Keon Hee
Kim Keon Hee [Credit: The Guardian ]

Kim Keon Hee, wife of South Korea’s impeached and jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol, was arrested on Tuesday on charges of corruption.

Mrs Kim was charged with stock price manipulation, bribery, among others, in a four-hour court hearing on Tuesday.

However, the court issued her detention warrant on grounds that she could destroy evidence if released.

According to prosecutors, Mrs Kim raked in over $577,940 (£428,000) from her involvement in a price manipulation scheme involving Deutsch Motors stocks.

She was also accused of accepting a diamond necklace and Chanel bags as bribes from the Unification Church in exchange for favours.

Though some of these allegations predated her husband’s presidency, she is now the first South Korean first lady to be jailed alongside a serving or former president over corruption charges.

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