South Korea’s former first lady Kim keon Hee, wife of impeached former president Yoon Suk Yelo, arrives at a court to attend a hearing to review her arrest warrant requested by special prosecutor, in South Korea , on Aug 12, 2025.
South Korea’s political turmoil continues to escalate. On Friday, former First Lady Kim Keon Hee and former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo were formally indicted in two high-profile investigations linked to the downfall of ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The indictments come months after Yoon was ousted for declaring martial law, a move prosecutors call an act of rebellion.
Former First Lady Faces Bribery and Funding Charges
Kim Keon Hee, wife of the jailed former president, has been charged with multiple offenses. Investigators accuse her of violating financial market laws, breaching political funding rules, and accepting bribes.
Her arrest was ordered two weeks ago following mounting evidence. Prosecutors also suspect she influenced the conservative People Power Party in 2022 to nominate a preferred candidate during a by-election.
The alleged interference was reportedly at the request of election broker Myung Tae-kyun, who is separately accused of manipulating opinion polls and providing Yoon with falsified data that may have boosted his presidential primary victory.
Earlier this month, Kim issued a brief apology to the public for causing concern. However, she suggested she would deny wrongdoing, calling herself “someone insignificant” in politics.
Ex-Prime Minister Indicted for Role in Martial Law
Han Duck-soo, who briefly served as acting leader after Yoon’s impeachment, also faces serious charges. Prosecutors accuse him of abetting Yoon’s martial law declaration, falsifying official documents, destroying records, and lying under oath.
Assistant special counsel Park Ji-young stated that Han was the highest-ranking official who could have blocked Yoon’s plan. Instead, investigators allege, he actively worked to give it legitimacy by trying to pass the decree through a Cabinet Council meeting.
Han has publicly insisted he opposed Yoon’s martial law plan and relayed his concerns directly to the former president.
The Wider Crackdown on Yoon’s Inner Circle
The investigations stem from three separate special prosecutor probes ordered by President Lee Jae Myung, a liberal leader who succeeded Yoon. These probes focus on Yoon’s controversial attempt to impose martial law in December.
Yoon’s defense minister, several military commanders, and police officials have already been arrested for their involvement. Yoon himself was impeached in mid-December, removed from office in April, and rearrested last month over his martial law decree.
After Yoon’s dismissal, Han was expected to head the caretaker government until the June presidential election. Instead, he resigned to pursue his own presidential ambitions. His party, however, chose another candidate.
A Nation Grappling With Political Scandals
The simultaneous indictment of a former first lady and a former prime minister marks an unprecedented chapter in South Korea’s democracy.
Both cases highlight the extent of corruption allegations tied to Yoon’s presidency, from election manipulation to constitutional violations.
The upcoming months are expected to see more revelations as prosecutors intensify their investigations. For now, South Korea remains divided and unsettled, still reeling from the ripple effects of Yoon’s short but turbulent presidency.
