South Korea: Former first lady beset by corruption scandal
NHK World editor-in-chief Aoki Yoshiyuki, a former Seoul bureau chief, delves into the scandal.
One of the counsels is examining the short-lived martial law that Yoon put in place last December. The second is considering whether the former president pressured investigators looking into the death of a Marines soldier.
The third counsel is overseeing a raft of allegations that have been made against businesswoman Kim, even before her husband took office in 2022.
The complex investigation into Kim has captured the nation's attention as questions are raised about whether diamond jewelry and luxury handbags were gifted to her as bribes. Kim Keon-hee the enigma Criminal suspect Kim Keon-hee turned herself in for questioning on August 6.
Kim turned herself in for questioning on August 6 and offered some apologetic words to reporters: "I am truly sorry to everyone that a person like me ― who is nothing special ― has caused trouble."
Despite regarding herself as "nothing special," Kim has been creating headlines for years.
Little is known about her background. According to local media reports, she was born in 1972 and spent many years in Seoul. She became interested in art when she was a student, and after graduating from university, she worked as an art lecturer.
In 2007, Kim took the helm of a firm that produces art exhibitions. She met Yoon when he was a senior prosecutor and married him in 2012. During the first months of his administration, her flashy fashion sense attracted a lot of attention when she accompanied him on overseas trips. A long list of allegations
The allegations against Kim are complex: manipulation of stock prices of an imported car sales company, meddling in a primary for a by-election, and receiving gifts from a religious group, formerly known as the Unification Church, in exchange for influence.
It has been reported that in 2022, a then high-ranking official of the religious group gifted a designer handbag and a diamond necklace to the first lady through a third person.
Media reports claim the ex-Unification Church hoped Kim would help it gain preferential treatment for its projects, including a development in Cambodia. An associated official from the group was arrested at the end of July. Ex-Unification Church buildings in South Korea Diamonds and Dior
The special counsel assigned to Kim's case has also uncovered some fresh controversy over the Van Cleef & Arpels necklace Kim wore when she visited Spain in June 2022. South Korean media reported at the time that the jewels were worth around 60 million won, or more than 43,000 dollars.
In South Korea, politicians and senior public servants are required to disclose jewelry worth more than 5 million won, or 3,600 dollars. But the luxury brand necklace was not included in the list of the couple's assets.
Kim initially claimed that she borrowed the necklace from an acquaintance, but later changed the explanation, saying that it was an imitation. Another time she was asked about it, she said she had lost the item.
Investigators seized a necklace of the same design during a raid at a house belonging to one of Kim's relatives on July 25. It turned out to be a fake, but it is suspected the original necklace was substituted at some point.
The Dior handbag Kim was reportedly gifted in 2022 has been the source of endless speculation. In November 2023, a covertly filmed video was made public by the Youtuber who presented the item. In October 2024, prosecutors decided against an indictment, finding it was difficult to see how the gifting of luxury bag could be seen as a bribe relating to her duties. But the bag is back in the spotlight now as the whole episode is re-examined by the special counsel. A sheltered existence
The Yoon administration took a cautious approach when it came to Kim's media appearances. It is the norm for the presidential office to notify the press club about the leader's official duties, including whether filming and photography will be allowed.
But when it came to Kim's official duties, media outlets were offered few opportunities. In most cases, photos and videos were released by a public relations team instead of allowing media to take their own.
I can't recall the presidential office ever allowing the media to take photos of Kim, except when she attended public events with her husband. It is understood Yoon wanted to keep his wife away from the media wherever possible. Kim Keon-hee attended an event with her husband, former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yul, in 2024.
In another oddity, broadcast authorities put continual pressure on media outlets to use an honorific, roughly translating to "Mrs," when referring to the then first lady. It was a rare measure, but commentators and politicians on TV shows sometimes missed the title when they spoke about Kim.
I remember one radio program during which one panelist forgot to use the title. The host panicked and said: "We need to say Mrs. Kim Keon-hee. That's the guidance from the authorities." You couldn't just use her name and I believe it was Yoon who put that rule in place.
Last month, a few hours after the special counsel team notified Kim she would face questioning, a message was posted on Yoon's Facebook account. It read: "I should be the only one to face a ridiculous political persecution."
Observers say Yoon wants investigators to stay away from his wife. But that looks unlikely now with the special counsel team moving forward with what could be up to 15 charges. Arrest warrant sought
While Kim has reportedly denied the allegations put to her so far, investigators have many more questions. With that comes an application for an arrest warrant on charges of bribery and violating political funding law that was filed August 7. Kim Keon-hee at the special prosecutor's office in Seoul on August 6
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