President Lee’s Korea Policy Daily

[In-Depth] Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Kim Keon-hee: Background, Legal Reasoning & Political Fallout (August 13, 2025) This article synthesizes publicly reported information from Korean courts and major media. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 🔎 Quick Take Decision : The Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant for Kim Keon-hee late on Aug 12–early Aug 13 (KST), citing risk of evidence tampering as a central factor. Core charges (as reported) : Alleged violations of the Capital Markets Act (stock manipulation context), Political Funds Act , and brokerage for bribery (alleged influence‑peddling). Key controversy : Discrepancies in statements around a high‑value accessory (often referred to as a “NATO trip necklace”) reportedly weighed into the court’s assessment of preservation risk . Political temperature : Opposition lawmakers broadly welcomed the decision; the ruling party adopted a cautious...

Kim Keon-hee Arrest Warrant Hearing: Background, Key Issues, and Outlook (Aug 12, 2025) Who is she? Kim Keon-hee is the wife of South Korea’s ousted former President Yoon Suk-yeol . She served as First Lady from 2022 to 2024. On August 12, 2025 (KST) , she appeared at the Seoul Central District Court for a judge’s review of a special prosecutor’s request to detain her pending trial—commonly called a “pre-arrest warrant hearing.” A ruling was expected late Tuesday night or overnight, according to multiple outlets. Why this matters to an international audience This case intertwines legal accountability, political transition, and public trust. If the court approves detention, Kim could become the first former presidential spouse in South Korean history to be jailed on criminal charges—an outcome that would underscore how far Korea’s legal institutions will go in pursuing high-profile corruption cases. It also unfolds as her husband, ex-President Yoon Suk-yeol , is alr...