Supreme Court to Decide on New Arrest Warrant for Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee

The Supreme Court will hold a 2:30 p.m. hearing to determine whether to issue a new arrest warrant for former first lady Kim Keon Hee, who remains in custody at Seoul Nambu Detention Center. Special counsel Min Joong-ki’s team filed the request based on the bribery case, as Kim’s existing warrant for the corruption case is set to lapse before a final judgment. Kim is currently on trial for two distinct matters: a corruption charge involving alleged stock-price manipulation and receipt of luxury gifts, and a bribery charge alleging she took expensive presents in exchange for appointments and business favors.

The court is also reviewing her sentences—four years for the corruption case and five years for the bribery case—after appellate benches referred the matters to a full bench. A decision on the new warrant could be issued later the same day.