SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA– Kim Keon Hee, the wife of impeached and ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, was arrested on Tuesday, becoming the first former first lady in the country’s history to be jailed. The arrest follows her husband’s own imprisonment and trial on insurrection charges after a failed attempt to impose martial law in December. The couple’s political downfall is a historic moment for South Korea, as it marks the first time both a former president and his spouse have been jailed.
The Downfall of a First Lady
The arrest of Kim Keon Hee culminates a series of corruption allegations that have shadowed her husband’s presidency from its inception. The charges against her are wide-ranging, including bribery, stock manipulation, and political influence-peddling. A special counsel, appointed after a bill was passed by the opposition-controlled National Assembly, grilled Ms. Kim for 11 hours before a warrant for her arrest was issued. The legal scrutiny on Ms. Kim’s activities intensified after the opposition gained control of the legislature, reversing a period where government prosecutors had not pursued charges against her.
Gifts, Bribes, and Influence
Ms. Kim’s troubles include allegations of accepting bribes and gifts from various sources. A high-profile case involves a diamond necklace and two Chanel bags she reportedly received from a senior official of the Unification Church following Mr. Yoon’s election. Another investigation focuses on a Van Cleef pendant, valued at $43,200(₹37.8 lakh) that she wore at a NATO summit. She had previously claimed the pendant was a cheap fake, but the special prosecutor’s office now alleges it was a gift from a South Korean businessman and a potential bribe. Additionally, spy-cam footage showed her accepting a $2,200(₹1.9 lakh) Dior pouch from a visitor after her husband’s inauguration. These incidents have fueled public speculation about her significant influence, with many South Koreans joking that she was “V.I.P. No. 1” in her husband’s government.
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The Broader Context of a Political Scandal
The arrest of Ms. Kim is part of a larger political reckoning that has consumed the Yoon administration. Mr. Yoon, a former prosecutor who built his career on fighting corruption, now finds himself and his family at the center of multiple scandals. His wife’s alleged crimes include stock-price manipulation and illegally helping a politician secure a nomination. The scandal around the stock manipulation, in particular, has a long history, predating his presidency. Furthermore, Ms. Kim’s mother was also sentenced to prison for forging bank records, adding to the family’s legal woes. During his time in office, Mr. Yoon was accused of using his power to protect his wife, vetoing bills for independent investigations and dismissing the opposition’s demands as politically motivated.
A Vow and a Legacy of Confrontation
Mr. Yoon’s presidency was characterized by a bitter confrontation with the opposition, largely driven by calls for an investigation into his wife’s activities. As the pressure mounted, he made a public vow to “take the stones” on her behalf. His final act in power was declaring martial law, a move he justified as a fight against a “monster” and “anti-state forces.” This act, however, backfired spectacularly, leading to his impeachment and subsequent arrest. The arrest of both the former president and his wife marks a dramatic and unprecedented chapter in South Korean political history. Ms. Kim’s lawyers have denied the accusations and vowed to prove her innocence, but for now, she remains behind bars, a testament to a presidency marred by scandal and political turmoil.
