Kim Keon Hee arrested on corruption charges

South Korea's ex-first lady, Kim Keon Hee, has been arrested on corruption charges.

This is the first time in the nation's history that a former first lady has been put behind bars, and also the first time that a former presidential couple has been detained at the same time.

Byeon Ye-young starts us off.

Kim Keon Hee, the wife of impeached former President Yoon Suk Yeol, was arrested late on Tuesday on charges of stock manipulation, interference in party nominations, and political influence-peddling.

Kim is accused of taking part as a "funding source" in the Deutsche Motors stock-rigging scheme from 2009 to 2012, meddling in People Power Party candidate selections in recent elections, and accepting an illicit lobbying request from a "broker" from the Unification Church in 2022.

The Seoul Central District Court cited "concerns over destruction of evidence" as the main reason for issuing the arrest warrant.

Kim was moved to the Seoul Southern Detention Center, where she waited in a holding room for detainees before she was transferred to a housing unit.

Her arrest means all privileges as a former First Lady were revoked, and her security detail was fully withdrawn.

However, like her husband, she will be assigned a dedicated correctional officer and kept separate from other inmates during exercise and bathing.

She first appeared for questioning in front of a special counsel team last week, where she made a public apology.

"I am truly sorry that a nobody like myself has caused concern for the people. I will faithfully undergo the questioning."

Her husband, Yoon Suk Yeol, is behind bars on insurrection charges.

While several other former South Korean presidents have previously served prison terms, this is the first time in the nation's history that both a former president and spouse have been jailed at the same time.

Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.