• Former first lady Kim Keon-hee arrested on corruption and bribery charges.
• This marks the first time in South Korea's history that a former presidential couple has been jailed simultaneously.
• Kim is accused of stock manipulation, accepting luxury gifts, and tampering with evidence.
• Her husband, former President Yoon Suk-yeol, is also in custody facing charges of insurrection.
• Prosecutors have launched several investigations into alleged political corruption tied to their administration.

South Korea's former first lady, Kim Keon-hee, was arrested on August 12 after a court issued a warrant due to numerous corruption and bribery allegations. These allegations include stock manipulation and illegal influence peddling, connected to her husband's controversial presidency, which ended with his ouster in April 2025. This historic event sees Kim as the country’s only former first lady to be detained, joining her husband, former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is also in jail. Kim's arrest follows intensive investigations by a special prosecutor's team, marking a significant political crisis in South Korea, according to Al Jazeera and BBC.

The arrest warrant was granted by the Seoul Central District Court, based on prosecutors' fears that she might destroy evidence. Furthermore, Kim is implicated in a web of corruption and political scandal, including accepting high-value gifts like Chanel handbags and luxury jewelry, in exchange for favors. Notably, Kim has been accused of wearing a luxury pendant during a NATO summit, which she allegedly failed to declare, according to reports from South China Morning Post and Los Angeles Times.

Keen to expedite the investigation, prosecutors raided the headquarters of the People Power Party—a move described as political retaliation by some opposition leaders. They allege Kim solicited election meddling during a 2022 parliamentary by-election. The investigation reflects ongoing tensions in South Korean politics, exacerbated by widespread allegations of corruption against the ruling party and its affiliates as detailed by Le Monde and NPR.

Kim's arrest signifies a broader investigation into the corruption scandals surrounding her husband, whose government utilized controversial tactics in its administration, including a failed martial law attempt before his removal. President Lee Jae-myung has since initiated sweeping investigations to hold the previous administration accountable, as discussed in articles from Anadolu Agency and Dawn.