Former President and First Lady Arrested Simultaneously for the First Time in Constitutional History

On the 13th, Chief Judge Jeong Jae-wook of the Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant for First Lady Kim Geon-hee.

This marks an unprecedented moment in constitutional history, as both former President Yoon Seok-yeol and his spouse are simultaneously arrested. The court concluded that there are grounds for arrest concerning violations of the Capital Markets Act, the Political Funds Act, and allegations of bribery under the Aggravated Punishment for Specific Crimes Act.

Judge Jeong assessed that "there is a concern that Mrs. Kim may destroy evidence."

The warrant was requested by the special prosecution team on Kim Geon-hee led by Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki on August 7.

The special prosecution believes that Mrs. Kim participated as a so-called "money manager" in the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case and that there are indications of her receiving bribes from high-ranking officials and business people after her husband's inauguration.

4 hours and 25 minutes of detention hearing, conclusion: 'Necessity of arrest'

Chief Judge Jeong Jae-wook concluded the hearing, which began at 10:10 AM on the 12th, at 2:35 PM the same day. After careful consideration, the court decided to issue the arrest warrant, and Mrs. Kim, who had been waiting at the Seoul Southern Detention Center, will now be immediately incarcerated.

It is reported that her transfer to the Southern Detention Center, rather than the Seoul Detention Center, is a measure considering the conditions and safety issues of the Seoul Detention Center.

During the substantive examination of the warrant, Mrs. Kim expressed brief frustration, stating, "I’m upset that matters from before my marriage are being brought up," but this was insufficient to overturn the court's judgment.

It is interpreted that the court viewed the 'possibility of evidence destruction' very seriously. A former judge had previously analyzed that "the status of being the spouse of a president could rather strengthen the necessity of arrest," which turned out to be correct.

Inevitable Political and Social Repercussions

With the issuance of this warrant, both former President Yoon and Mrs. Kim will face trial while in custody. This is an occurrence that has not happened in any previous administration, and it is anticipated to create significant repercussions in both the political sphere and society as a whole.

Supporters of former President Yoon are raising voices that "this unprecedented event of simultaneous arrest of a former presidential couple will intensify the controversy over political retaliation," while proponents of the ruling party respond by saying, "Equality before the law has been realized."

The record of the simultaneous arrest of a former presidential couple, emerging after 77 years of constitutional history, is expected to remain a significant turning point in the future of Korean political history.

Image source: First Lady Kim Geon-hee / News1, News1, President Yoon Seok-yeol and First Lady Kim Geon-hee Celebrating Chuseok / Photo: Presidential Office