Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian media: 'Israel' launches two airstrikes on eastern Khan Younis, Gaza.
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation forces carry out demolitions in eastern Gaza City.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: The National Armed Forces will remain on alert and mobilized in the face of this extremely dangerous provocation.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: This is not a defense exercise, but rather a military aggression aimed at turning the Caribbean into a space for violence and US hegemony.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: The government of Trinidad and Tobago has surrendered the country's sovereignty to act as a military colony serving US interests.
Rapid Support Forces attack El-Fasher, west Sudan.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: One martyr and one wounded in an Israeli drone attack on the town of Hafir, west of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone fired three missiles in the vicinity of the town of Bodai, west of Baalbek.
Reuters: The Rapid Support Forces announced that they have taken over the headquarters of the Sudanese Armed Forces in al-Fasher.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the town of Al-Qlailah, Southern Lebanon.

South Korea’s former first lady arrested after court issues warrant

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 13 Aug 2025 10:08
3 Min Read

Kim Keon Hee, wife of impeached former President Yoon Suk Yeol, has been arrested in Seoul on charges of stock manipulation, illegal political funding, and bribery.

Listen
  • x
  •  South Korea’s former first lady arrested after court issues warrant
    South Korea's former first lady Kim Keon Hee, center, wife of impeached former president Yoon Suk Yeol, arrives at a court to attend a hearing to review her arrest warrant requested by special prosecutors, in Seoul, South Korea, on August 12, 2025. (Jung Yeon-je/Pool Photo via AP)

South Korea’s former First Lady Kim Keon Hee, the wife of impeached ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol, has been arrested on multiple corruption charges, according to the special prosecutor leading a wide-ranging investigation.

Her arrest, authorized by Seoul’s central district court, marks an unprecedented event in South Korean politics, with both the former president and first lady now in custody. The court approved the warrant, citing concerns over possible evidence tampering, Yonhap News reported.

Kim faces charges including violations of capital market and financial investment laws, as well as political funds laws. Prosecutors allege she manipulated stock prices of Deutsch Motors, a local BMW dealership, between 2009 and 2012, allegedly earning over 800 million won (approximately $580,000) by conspiring with others to artificially inflate shares.

In addition, she is accused of receiving over 270 million won ($196,000) in unlawful political contributions through complimentary opinion polling services, which were allegedly used to influence candidate selections in the conservative People Power party’s 2022 byelections.

A third charge involves accepting luxury gifts, including Chanel handbags and high-end jewellery, from the Unification Church via a shaman intermediary, reportedly in exchange for favorable treatment of development projects in Cambodia.

Related News

Arrest warrant sought for South Korea's ex-first lady Kim

South Korea's ousted Yoon defies prosecutors, blocks warrant execution

Kim denies allegations in court appearance

Kim, who was questioned for more than seven hours last week before the warrant was sought, denies all charges. During her court appearance, which lasted four and a half hours, she reportedly expressed frustration over scrutiny of her personal history.

"I’m upset that even issues from before my marriage keep being brought up," she told the judge, according to court accounts.

Judge Jeong Jae-wook cited the risk of evidence destruction as the main reason for her detention. She is currently held at Nambu detention center in south-western Seoul, while her husband, detained since July over a separate investigation into an alleged attempt to impose martial law, remains in custody at Seoul detention center.

The investigation into Kim was launched under a special counsel appointed after President Lee Jae Myung took office in June. Though 16 allegations were originally on file, the arrest warrant focused on three key charges.

Kim, formerly an executive in the arts exhibition industry, was a controversial figure during her husband’s presidency, frequently accused of exerting behind-the-scenes influence. She was previously involved in the high-profile Dior bag scandal, which prosecutors are now re-investigating.

Additionally, in recent weeks, her academic credibility came under further scrutiny, with both her master’s and doctoral degrees revoked due to findings of thesis plagiarism.

  • Yoon Suk Yeol
  • Kim Keon Hee
  • South Korea

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with Al-Manar TV, October 26, 2025 (Screenshot)
Politics

Hezbollah ready to face 'Israel' in case of war: Sheikh Naim Qassem

A Russian cargo train arrives at Astara Railway Wharf, March 2018 (IRNA)
Economy

Tehran, Moscow to finalize INSTC rail project next month

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf addresses the media after submitting his candidacy for the Islamic Republic's upcoming presidential election in Tehran on June 3, 2024 (AP)
Politics

UNSCR 2231 termination marks major win for Iran’s diplomacy: Qalibaf

ap
Politics

'Israel' killed 40 Palestinian children in West Bank since January: UN

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS