In an unprecedented chapter in South Korea’s political history, Kim Keon Hee, the wife of impeached former President Yoon Suk Yeol, stood before the Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, marking the first time an ex-first lady has faced criminal prosecution in the nation. The trial, which began amid intense public and media scrutiny, centers on a litany of charges against Kim, including stock manipulation, corruption, and violations of South Korea’s election laws. Her arrest in August 2025, followed by her husband’s removal from office in July, has cast a long shadow over the country’s political landscape, raising questions about accountability, privilege, and the integrity of its democratic institutions.
The proceedings commenced at 10 a.m. local time in a tightly secured courtroom in Seoul, with Kim, 53, appearing in person under heavy guard. Dressed in a somber dark suit, her hair neatly tied back, she wore a badge identifying her as inmate number 4398—a stark symbol of her fall from grace as the spouse of a former head of state. The court session opened with routine formalities, including a confirmation of her identity. When asked about her occupation, Kim responded with a simple, “I am unemployed,” a statement that belied her once-prominent role as the first lady of South Korea. She also confirmed her date of birth and declined the option of a jury trial, opting instead for a bench trial presided over by a judge, a decision that legal experts suggest reflects a strategic choice to avoid the unpredictability of a jury in such a high-profile case.
A Scandal-Ridden Tenure
Kim Keon Hee’s trial is the culmination of years of public scrutiny and controversy that have dogged her since her husband assumed the presidency in May 2022. Yoon Suk Yeol, a former prosecutor known for his hardline stance on corruption, campaigned on a platform of restoring integrity to South Korea’s government. However, his administration was quickly overshadowed by allegations of impropriety involving his wife, whose financial dealings and influence over political processes became a lightning rod for criticism.
The most prominent accusation against Kim centers on stock manipulation, a charge that has roots in her pre-presidential activities. Prosecutors allege that between 2010 and 2011, Kim engaged in illicit financial practices to artificially inflate the stock prices of Deutsch Motors, an auto parts company. These allegations first surfaced in 2020 but gained traction during Yoon’s presidency, as opposition lawmakers and media outlets pressed for accountability. The case took a dramatic turn in 2022 when a left-wing pastor, Choi Jae-young, secretly recorded himself presenting Kim with a Dior handbag valued at approximately 3 million won ($2,200 USD). The footage, which showed Kim accepting the gift, sparked outrage across South Korea, where public officials and their families are subject to strict anti-corruption laws. The “Dior bag scandal,” as it came to be known, reignited suspicions about Kim’s financial dealings and fueled public distrust in the Yoon administration.
Beyond the stock manipulation charges, prosecutors have accused Kim of improperly influencing the nomination process for members of parliament (MPs) within her husband’s People Power Party (PPP). This alleged meddling, which violates South Korea’s election laws, is said to have occurred during the lead-up to the 2022 general election. Legal analysts speculate that these charges could eventually lead to a joint court appearance for Kim and Yoon, as the former president faces separate allegations of election interference tied to the same events. Such a scenario would be unprecedented in South Korea, where no former president and first lady have ever been prosecuted simultaneously.
The Fall of Yoon Suk Yeol
The trial of Kim Keon Hee unfolds against the backdrop of her husband’s dramatic fall from power. Yoon Suk Yeol, who served as president from May 2022 until his impeachment in July 2025, was removed from office following his controversial attempt to declare martial law in late 2024. The decision, which Yoon justified as a necessary measure to address “national security threats,” was widely condemned as an overreach of executive power and a threat to South Korea’s democracy. The move triggered mass protests, a swift backlash from the opposition-controlled National Assembly, and ultimately, Yoon’s impeachment by parliament.
Yoon’s trial, which began shortly after his removal, centers on charges of abuse of power and insurrection, stemming from the martial law declaration. His efforts to shield his wife from investigation during his presidency have also come under scrutiny. Between 2022 and 2024, Yoon vetoed three special bills passed by the opposition-led parliament that sought to mandate independent investigations into Kim’s alleged misconduct. His final veto, issued in late November 2024, came just one week before the martial law declaration—a timing that many observers believe was no coincidence. Critics argue that Yoon’s actions were motivated by a desire to protect his wife from prosecution, a claim that has further eroded public trust in his legacy.
The simultaneous prosecution of both Yoon and Kim marks a historic moment for South Korea, a nation that has seen several of its former presidents face legal consequences in recent decades. Park Geun-hye, South Korea’s first female president, was impeached in 2017 and later convicted on corruption charges, while Lee Myung-bak served time for bribery and embezzlement. However, the prosecution of a former first lady is a new frontier, one that underscores the deepening public demand for accountability at the highest levels of government.
A Test for South Korea’s Institutions
Kim Keon Hee’s trial has ignited fierce debate across South Korea, with opinions sharply divided along political lines. Supporters of Yoon and the conservative People Power Party view the prosecution as a politically motivated witch hunt orchestrated by the liberal Democratic Party, which controls the National Assembly. They argue that Kim is being unfairly targeted to discredit Yoon’s legacy and weaken the conservative movement ahead of future elections. Conversely, critics of the former first couple see the trial as a long-overdue reckoning for a political elite that has operated with impunity for too long. The case, they contend, is a critical test of South Korea’s ability to hold powerful figures accountable, regardless of their status.
The charges against Kim are complex and carry significant legal and political implications. The stock manipulation allegations, if proven, could result in substantial fines and imprisonment, as South Korea’s Financial Services Commission imposes strict penalties for market manipulation. The election interference charges are equally serious, as they strike at the heart of the country’s democratic process. South Korea’s election laws are designed to ensure fair and transparent political competition, and any attempt to unduly influence candidate nominations is considered a grave offense. Prosecutors have indicated that they possess substantial evidence, including communications and financial records, to support their case against Kim.
The trial is expected to unfold over several months, with prosecutors likely to call a range of witnesses, including former aides, party officials, and financial experts. Kim’s defense team, led by prominent Seoul attorney Lee Dong-chan, has signaled its intent to challenge the prosecution’s evidence, arguing that the charges are based on circumstantial evidence and lack direct proof of wrongdoing. The defense is also likely to frame the case as a politically motivated attack, a narrative that could resonate with Yoon’s conservative base.
The Dior Bag Scandal: A Turning Point
The Dior bag scandal remains a pivotal moment in Kim Keon Hee’s public downfall. The incident, which occurred in September 2021 but was revealed to the public in 2022, crystallized long-standing suspicions about Kim’s ethical conduct. The pastor who recorded the encounter, Choi Jae-young, claimed that he presented the handbag to Kim as part of an undercover effort to expose corruption within the Yoon camp. The video, which was widely circulated on social media and covered extensively by South Korean media, showed Kim accepting the gift without hesitation, a move that violated anti-corruption laws prohibiting public officials and their spouses from accepting gifts valued above a certain threshold.
The scandal not only damaged Kim’s reputation but also placed immense pressure on Yoon’s presidency. Public opinion polls conducted at the time showed a sharp decline in approval ratings for the administration, with many South Koreans expressing frustration over what they perceived as hypocrisy from a president who had campaigned on an anti-corruption platform. The opposition Democratic Party seized on the scandal, introducing legislation to establish a special prosecutor to investigate Kim’s financial dealings. Yoon’s repeated vetoes of these bills only deepened the public’s perception that he was shielding his wife from accountability.
The Dior bag incident also highlighted the broader issue of gift-giving in South Korean politics, a practice that has long been a source of controversy. While cultural norms in South Korea emphasize the exchange of gifts as a gesture of goodwill, public officials are subject to strict regulations under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, commonly known as the Kim Young-ran Act. Enacted in 2016, the law sets a cap on the value of gifts that public officials and their families can accept, typically around 50,000 won ($37 USD) for most occasions. Kim’s acceptance of the Dior handbag, valued at nearly 60 times that amount, was seen as a flagrant violation of these rules and fueled demands for greater transparency in political conduct.
Societal and Political Ramifications
The trial of Kim Keon Hee is more than a legal proceeding; it is a cultural and political flashpoint that has exposed deep divisions within South Korean society. The case has reignited debates about the role of political spouses, the influence of wealth and privilege in governance, and the challenges of maintaining public trust in a democracy. For many South Koreans, the sight of a former first lady standing trial is a powerful symbol of progress in the fight against corruption, but it also underscores the fragility of the nation’s democratic institutions.
South Korea has made significant strides in combating corruption since its transition to democracy in the late 1980s. The establishment of independent investigative bodies, such as the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), and the strengthening of anti-corruption laws have helped hold powerful figures accountable. However, high-profile cases like those of Yoon and Kim have exposed the limitations of these reforms, as political polarization and institutional gridlock continue to complicate efforts to address systemic issues.
The trial has also sparked discussions about gender dynamics in South Korean politics. As the first former first lady to face prosecution, Kim’s case has drawn attention to the often-scrutinized role of political spouses, who are expected to embody grace and propriety while navigating the complex demands of public life. Some commentators have argued that Kim has been unfairly targeted due to her visibility as a first lady, while others contend that her actions reflect a broader pattern of entitlement among South Korea’s political elite.
A Nation Watches Closely
As Kim Keon Hee’s trial progresses, it is likely to dominate headlines and shape public discourse in South Korea for months to come. The case has already drawn comparisons to other historic moments in the nation’s political history, such as the impeachment of Park Geun-hye and the prosecution of Chun Doo-hwan, a former military dictator convicted of corruption in the 1990s. Yet, the simultaneous prosecution of a former president and first lady is uncharted territory, one that will test the resilience of South Korea’s judicial system and its commitment to the rule of law.
For now, Kim remains in custody, her fate in the hands of the Seoul Central District Court. The outcome of her trial, and that of her husband, will have far-reaching implications for South Korea’s political landscape. A conviction could further erode public trust in the conservative People Power Party, potentially reshaping the balance of power ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Conversely, an acquittal could embolden Yoon’s supporters, who may view it as vindication of their claims of political persecution.
Regardless of the verdict, the trial of Kim Keon Hee represents a defining moment in South Korea’s ongoing struggle to uphold accountability and transparency in its democracy. As the nation grapples with the fallout of a tumultuous presidency and the legal battles that have followed, the eyes of the world are on Seoul, watching to see how justice is served in one of Asia’s most vibrant democracies.