Audio By Carbonatix
The wife of South Korea's jailed former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has been arrested over a raft of charges, including stock manipulation and bribery.
Former first lady Kim Keon Hee denied all charges during a four-hour court hearing in Seoul on Tuesday. But the court issued a detention warrant, citing the risk that she may destroy evidence.
South Korea has a history of former presidents being indicted and imprisoned. However, this is the first time both the former president and former first lady have been jailed.
Yoon was detained in January to face trial over a failed martial law bid last year that plunged the country into chaos and eventually led to his ouster.
Prosecutors say Kim, 52, made over 800 million won ($577,940; £428,000) by participating in a price-rigging scheme involving the stocks of Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealer in South Korea.
While this allegedly happened before her husband was elected the country's leader, it continued to cast a shadow throughout his presidency.
She allegedly also accepted two Chanel bags and a diamond necklace as bribes from the controversial Unification Church in exchange for business favours.
Among other charges, Kim is also accused of meddling in candidate nominations during the parliamentary by-elections in 2022 and the general elections last year.
Kim appeared solemn as she attended Tuesday's hearing wearing a black suit and a black skirt.
"I sincerely apologise for causing trouble despite being a person of no importance," she told reporters.
While he was president, Yoon vetoed three opposition-led bills that sought a special counsel investigation into allegations against Kim.
He issued the last veto in November, a week before he declared martial law.
A special counsel was set up in June this year after Yoon's rival Lee Jae Myung became president.
Latest Stories
-
Mahama calls for prosperity, peace and progress in New Year Message
1 hour -
Côte d’Ivoire stun Gabon with last-minute 3–2 thriller to top Group F
3 hours -
Ho zongo community slams REGSEC over two-week mosque closure
4 hours -
Tema police foil armed robbery attempt at Afienya; Four suspects killed
4 hours -
Two dead, two in custody over fatal family land feud
5 hours -
Anthony Joshua discharged from hospital after fatal road crash
5 hours -
Trump media firm to issue new cryptocurrency to shareholders
5 hours -
Ebo Noah arrested over failed Christmas apocalypse and public panic
7 hours -
‘Ghana’s democracy must never be sacrificed for short-term politics’ – Bawumia
7 hours -
Bawumia congratulates Mahama but warns he “cannot afford to fail Ghanaians”
7 hours -
CICM backs BoG’s microfinance sector reform programme; New Year Debt Recovery School comes off January-February 2026
7 hours -
GIPC Boss urges diaspora to invest remittances into productive ventures
7 hours -
Cedi ends 2025 as 4th best performing currency in Africa
7 hours -
Fifi Kwetey brands calls for Mahama third term as ‘sycophancy’
7 hours -
Bawumia calls for NPP unity ahead of 2028 elections
8 hours
