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This Week in AsiaPolitics

South Korea’s ex-first lady Kim reportedly hospitalised for depression amid criminal probe

Sources say Kim Keon-hee was admitted for psychiatric treatment after experiencing severe hyperventilation

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Then-president Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife Kim Keon-hee attend a ceremony marking the 78th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule, in Seoul on August 15, 2023.
Photo: EPA-EFE
SCMP’s Asia desk
South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon-hee has reportedly been hospitalised in Seoul with severe depression as pressure mounts from a sweeping special counsel inquiry into scandals linked to her alleged misconduct – including stock manipulation, bribery and election interference – during her husband’s presidency.
Kim, wife of impeached former president Yoon Suk-yeol, was admitted to hospital on Monday and is receiving psychiatric treatment, according to sources in the legal and medical communities cited by the Korea JoongAng Daily.

The sources said she had initially sought outpatient care for depressive symptoms last week, but doctors advised immediate hospitalisation given the severity of her condition. Kim declined at first but was later admitted, experiencing episodes of hyperventilation that required additional treatment by pulmonologists.

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Yoon visited Kim on Monday evening after concluding his court appearance earlier that day, staying with her until late.

02:23

South Korean leader apologises over wife’s Dior handbag saga, vows to improve livelihoods

South Korean leader apologises over wife’s Dior handbag saga, vows to improve livelihoods

Kim’s time as first lady was marred by a string of scandals that contributed to Yoon’s plunging public support.

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She was filmed in 2022 receiving a Dior handbag worth around 3 million won (US$2,200) from Korean-American pastor Choi Jae-young, triggering a bribery investigation that was later dropped due to lack of evidence linking the gift to official duties.

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