Kim Keon Hee, wife of jailed former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol, has been arrested on charges including stock manipulation, bribery, and election interference.
A Seoul court issued the detention warrant today after a four-hour hearing, citing concerns she might destroy evidence.
Prosecutors allege the 52-year-old earned over 800 million won through a price-rigging scheme involving shares of Deutsch Motors before her husband’s presidency, and later accepted luxury gifts from the Unification Church in exchange for business favours.
Kim is also accused of influencing candidate nominations in the 2022 parliamentary by-elections and last year’s general elections.
She denied all allegations but expressed regret for causing public concern.
This marks the first time in South Korea’s history that both a former president and first lady have been jailed.