The Rise and Fall of South Korean First Lady Kim Keon Hee

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 6 min read 100% complete by Choe Sang-HunJanuary 28, 2026 at 07:36 AM

AI Summary

long article 6 min

Kim Keon Hee, South Korea's former first lady, faces corruption charges, making her the first former first lady in the country to be imprisoned. Known for her high profile and influence, she broke from the traditional role of presidential spouses, even successfully advocating for a ban on dog meat. However, she also faced scandals and accusations of overstepping her role. Her downfall occurred after her husband, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, attempted to declare martial law in late 2024, allegedly to shield her and himself from criminal investigations. Yoon was later expelled from office and arrested, while Kim was arrested in August on charges including accepting expensive gifts in exchange for favors. A court in Seoul is expected to rule on her corruption charges on Wednesday.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Seoul Central District Court 50% Yoon Suk Yeol ×470% Kim Keon Hee ×580% South Korea ×380%

Keywords

kim keon hee 100% corruption charges 90% south korean first lady 80% political partnership 70% martial law 70% yoon suk yeol 60% scandals 50% dog meat ban 40%