SEOUL — South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon Hee was taken into custody late Tuesday after a court issued an arrest warrant on graft allegations she denies, a special prosecutor announced.
Kim, the first former first lady in the country’s history to be arrested, now joins her husband, ousted ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol, who has been in detention since April and is on trial for insurrection over a failed bid to impose martial law in December.
Wearing a black suit, Kim bowed upon arriving at court earlier in the day but remained silent before reporters.
Following a hearing, she was sent to a Seoul detention center to await the ruling. The court later approved the arrest, citing a risk of evidence destruction, Yonhap reported.
Prosecutors accuse Kim of stock fraud, bribery, and illegal influence peddling involving business figures, religious leaders, and a political broker.
Key allegations include failing to declare a Van Cleef pendant worth over 60 million won ($43,000) worn at a 2022 NATO summit, allegedly gifted by a domestic construction company; receiving two Chanel bags and a diamond necklace from a religious group in exchange for favors; and accepting other luxury items.
Kim has claimed the pendant was a fake purchased decades ago in Hong Kong. Her lawyers have previously denied the accusations, calling reports of the gifts baseless.
Yoon faces charges of insurrection, abuse of power, and other offenses that could lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty. He has refused to attend hearings or cooperate with prosecutors.