Arrested the friend of the former president of South Korea

• Kim Keon-hee, the friend of the former president, was arrested on charges of corruption.
• The court in Seoul indicated a risk of destruction of evidence.
• This is the first incident where a president and his friend have been arrested simultaneously.

In South Korea, they arrested the friend of former president Yoon Suk-yeol, Kim Keon-hee, due to serious charges, including manipulation of the stock market and corruption.

The court in Seoul issued an order for the arrest of Kim on September 13, 2025, indicating a risk of destruction of evidence. It prohibits all witnesses from making accusations against her.

This is the first incident in the history of South Korea where a former president and his friend have been implicated in corruption at the same time. Yoon was previously arrested for attempting to cover up military misconduct, which led to his resignation from office.

According to the prosecution, Kim Keon-hee received over 800 million won ($577,940) through participation in a scheme involving shares of the company Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealer in South Korea. This happened before her appointment as president, and the case continued to have a negative impact on her tenure.

In addition, Kim is suspected of receiving extravagant gifts, such as two Chanel bags and a diamond brooch, in exchange for business favors from the company in question. She is also accused of being involved in the nomination of candidates during elections.

During the hearing on September 13, Kim appeared in a black suit and claimed to be suffering from unspecified problems, stating that she is "a person of unknown origin." She will remain in custody in isolation from others.

The investigation of Kim is part of three special prosecutor investigations initiated by the new liberal government, which aims to address the activities of Yoon.

Tags: Politics/Crime