South Korea’s former first lady, Kim Keon Hee, entered prison on Wednesday, marking her first day behind bars in a case that has ensnared her and her husband, ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol, in a deepening criminal investigation.
Kim was admitted to the Seoul Nambu Detention Center, a facility on the capital’s western outskirts that opened in 2011 and is one of the few correctional institutions in the country led by a female warden.
A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that while Kim will receive the same treatment as other inmates, minor adjustments will be made to her daily routine due to her high-profile status.
Her arrest came after a court approved a warrant late Tuesday, citing concerns that she might tamper with evidence in an ongoing probe into allegations of bribery, stock manipulation, and influence peddling. Kim’s legal team has denied all charges, dismissing media reports about alleged illicit gifts as baseless speculation.
During questioning last week, Kim expressed remorse, apologizing for causing public concern and referring to herself as “a nobody.”
According to the source, Kim will occupy a solitary cell equipped with a small table for meals and writing, along with a floor mattress. She will have access to a shared shower area and one hour of daily outdoor exercise, scheduled to avoid contact with other inmates. Sundays will be an exception, with no outdoor time permitted.
Unlike her husband, who has already spent over 100 days in detention, this is Kim’s first experience in prison. Yoon remains jailed at the Seoul Detention Center—located outside the capital—while facing trial for his alleged role in a failed martial law decree, a charge he denies.
Before Yoon’s presidency, the couple lived in a luxury apartment in Seoul’s upscale district. After his political downfall, they returned to the residence, which is largely registered under Kim’s name, according to government records.
Now, Kim will eat the same meals as other inmates—simple Korean dishes costing around 1,500 won ($1.08) per serving. Her first breakfast in detention reportedly included toast with strawberry jam, sausages, and salad.
Kim, a successful art curator and businesswoman, has been a polarizing figure even before her husband’s 2022 election. Her fashion choices and advocacy for policies like banning dog meat consumption drew scrutiny in a country where first ladies traditionally maintain a low profile.
With her imprisonment, the legal troubles surrounding South Korea’s former first family continue to unfold, casting a long shadow over Yoon’s already tumultuous political legacy.