• Kim Keon Hee begins trial, the first ex-first lady to face such legal action in South Korea.
• She is charged with corruption, stock manipulation, and accepting bribes.
• The trial potentially links her actions to her husband's controversial presidency.

South Korea has opened a criminal trial for Kim Keon Hee, the wife of ousted former president Yoon Suk Yeol, marking a historic first as an ex-first lady faces charges of corruption in the country. Kim was arrested in August and has been charged with stock manipulation and other corruption-related offenses, appearing in court on September 24, 2025, escorted by guards and wearing her inmate number, 4398, according to Channel News Asia and Le Monde.

During her first court appearance, Kim identified herself as "unemployed" and opted for a trial by judge instead of a jury. The trial will explore multiple charges against her, including allegations of violating the Capital Markets Act through stock price manipulation, which reportedly earned her significant profits, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.

Additionally, she is accused of accepting luxury gifts, including designer bags, from leaders affiliated with the Unification Church in exchange for political favors. The controversy surrounding a Dior handbag presented to her, captured on video, has intensified scrutiny on her actions during her husband's presidency, reports Channel News Asia and Reuters.

Kim's charges also include violating political fundraising laws by allegedly accepting free polling services from a power broker ahead of the elections that her husband won. Meanwhile, Yoon Suk Yeol himself is under trial for a separate incident involving his attempt to declare martial law, which further complicates their legal battles, according to Al Jazeera and Le Monde.