SEOUL, Aug 13 — South Korea is witnessing an unprecedented political and legal upheaval as prosecutors raided the headquarters of the People Power Party, formerly led by ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol, following the arrest of his wife, former first lady Kim Keon Hee. The dramatic developments mark the first time in South Korean history that both a former president and a former first lady are behind bars.
Kim Keon Hee was taken into custody late Tuesday on multiple charges, including corruption, stock manipulation, and election law violations, according to prosecutors. The arrest followed a thorough review by the Seoul Central District Court, which approved an arrest warrant after prosecutors presented an extensive 848-page dossier detailing Kim’s alleged unlawful activities. The court cited a high risk of evidence tampering as a key factor in granting the warrant.
The People Power Party’s headquarters was raided by prosecutors on Wednesday as part of their investigation into Kim’s alleged interference in parliamentary elections. This move is viewed as an attempt to gather concrete evidence of her role in influencing the political process, including accusations of meddling in the nomination process for party candidates.
Yoon Suk Yeol, a former top prosecutor, had resigned from the party in May after being removed from office but had supported the party’s candidate in a snap presidential election won by the Democratic Party’s Lee Jae Myung. The arrest of his wife comes amid lingering tensions between political factions, with opposition leader Song Eon-seog condemning the raid as “nothing short of gangster behaviour” and criticizing the current administration for what he described as political persecution.
The fall of the former first couple has been swift and dramatic. Yoon, who was impeached in April following his controversial martial law declaration on December 3—which involved deploying troops to the parliament in a move quickly blocked by opposition MPs—has been detained since July 10. Kim’s arrest follows weeks of intensive investigation, including hours-long questioning by prosecutors.
Public scrutiny of Kim has intensified over the years, including a widely criticized 2022 incident where she was filmed accepting a luxury Dior handbag from a pastor, raising questions about her influence and integrity. She is also alleged to have engaged in favoritism regarding repairs to the presidential office through an interior company linked to her.
Legal experts note that Kim could be held for up to 20 days as prosecutors prepare formal charges and, once indicted, could remain in detention for up to six months. Although she can challenge the arrest or seek bail, current assessments suggest a high risk of evidence destruction, making immediate release unlikely. Her Presidential Security Service protection was terminated once the arrest warrant was issued, and she will be detained at a separate facility from her husband.
These events highlight a pivotal moment in South Korea’s political landscape, raising critical questions about accountability, political influence, and the rule of law. The ongoing investigations are expected to continue dominating headlines as the nation grapples with this historic legal and political crisis.
