SEOUL: Following South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s arrest on Wednesday (Jan 15), first lady Kim Keon Hee, who remains alone at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, has been suffering from deteriorating health, media reports said on Friday (Jan 17).
Citing officials from the presidential office, local media reported that those who met Kim have expressed concerns about her health, describing her as “looking worryingly emaciated”.
Those close to her told the media that since the declaration of martial law on Dec 3, 2024, Kim has not been eating properly.
Some ruling People Power Party lawmakers who were inside the residence on the day of Yoon’s arrest reportedly said that Kim “hasn’t been eating well to the point that she should probably go to the hospital, but she is managing to hold on by taking various medications,” according to news reports.
Since July 2024, Kim has stayed out of the public eye due to her luxury bag scandal and Deutsche Motors stock manipulation allegations. She did not accompany Yoon on his Central and South American tour in November 2024 and stepped away from official engagements for months.
Meanwhile, the opposition Democratic Party of Korea called for the launch of a separate probe into the first lady.
On Jan 15, a Democratic Party Representative Kang Deuk-gu, wrote on his social media that the prosecution investigation should resume.
“Finally, President Yoon has been arrested. Now, Kim Keon Hee must face restrictions such as a travel ban and suspension of financial transactions...The prosecution must promptly reinvestigate numerous criminal allegations surrounding Kim, including the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case.”
“The public already knows that Kim is the mastermind behind Yoon. Acting President Choi Sang-mok must order her travel ban and financial restrictions immediately,” he wrote.
Other opposition party lawmakers echoed the view.
Rebuilding Korea Party lawmakers on Jan 15 urged a travel ban for Kim and called for her to come under investigation.
"Today’s arrest of Yoon Suk Yeol, the ringleader of a rebellion, is not the end. Follow-up measures must be taken. The main instigator of Yoon’s national corruption is Kim Keon Hee.
"Investigations into Kim, who played a key role in Yoon’s state corruption, must begin in earnest," lawmakers said in a press conference.
If Yoon is impeached by the Constitutional Court of Korea before June 12, the main opposition is likely to intensify its push for an investigation into his spouse, who would then assume civilian status.
Currently, the National Assembly is discussing the so-called Kim Keon Hee Special Prosecutor Act, which aims to investigate various allegations involving her.
The proposed law covers 15 allegations, including the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case, the luxury bag bribery case, irregularities in the relocation of the presidential residence, her involvement in personnel appointments and interference in election nominations.
If such a special act passes in the National Assembly and is promulgated by the acting president, a special prosecutor can be appointed to begin investigations into Kim. - The Korea Herald/ANN
