SEOUL, Aug 13 — South Korea is witnessing an unprecedented political upheaval as prosecutors carried out a raid on the headquarters of the former ruling party of ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol, following the arrest of his wife, former first lady Kim Keon Hee, on multiple corruption charges. This marks a dramatic escalation in what is already one of the country’s most contentious political crises in recent history.
Late Tuesday, Kim, 52, was formally arrested on charges that include stock manipulation, corruption, and violations of political funds laws, according to prosecutors. The arrest followed a thorough review of prosecutors’ 848-page opinion detailing her alleged “unlawful acts” by the Seoul Central District Court. The court cited a significant risk of tampering with evidence as the reason for granting the arrest warrant.
In a coordinated effort, prosecutors moved quickly to raid the People Power Party headquarters on Wednesday, seeking documents and other evidence that could link Kim to alleged meddling in parliamentary elections. This move comes as Yoon, who resigned from the party in May following his removal from office, had recently endorsed the party’s candidate in the snap presidential election won by Lee Jae Myung of the Democratic Party.
The political opposition has voiced strong condemnation of the raid. Opposition leader Song Eon-seog described the operation as “nothing short of gangster behaviour,” criticizing the current administration for what he called a politically motivated persecution of opposition figures.
With Kim’s arrest, South Korea faces an unprecedented scenario where both a former president and first lady are behind bars. Legal experts note that Kim can be held for up to 20 days while prosecutors prepare a formal indictment, and if indicted, she could remain in detention for up to six months. While she retains the right to challenge the warrant in court, experts indicate the risk of evidence destruction makes it unlikely the court will overturn the arrest.
The charges against Kim are extensive, encompassing breaches of capital market and financial investment laws, as well as election-related violations. Controversy surrounding her tenure as first lady has persisted, including accusations of stock manipulation and alleged interference in parliamentary candidate nominations. Public attention on Kim resurfaced in 2022 after a viral incident involving a luxury handbag, which reignited criticism over her lifestyle and ethical conduct.
This political crisis traces back to December 3 of last year when Yoon declared martial law, attempting to deploy soldiers to parliament—a move swiftly voted down by opposition lawmakers. Following his impeachment and removal from office in April, South Korea held a snap election in June, eventually resulting in Lee Jae Myung’s victory. Yoon has been detained since July 10, highlighting the deep political instability gripping the nation.
Investigators have also focused on an interior company allegedly connected to Kim, examining potential favoritism in presidential office renovations. After the arrest warrant was issued, Kim’s Presidential Security Service protection was immediately terminated, and she is being held in a separate detention facility from her husband to maintain security protocols.
In her first public remarks since the arrest, Kim expressed remorse, stating, “I sincerely apologise for causing trouble despite being a person of no importance,” underscoring the personal and national gravity of the unfolding events.
The legal proceedings against Kim and Yoon are likely to dominate South Korean politics for months, with the nation closely watching how the judicial process unfolds and the potential implications for future elections and political stability.
