ANKARA
A South Korean court issued an arrest warrant for the country's former first lady on Tuesday on an array of charges, including election meddling and bribery, local media reports said.
Kim Keon Hee, who was taken to Seoul Southern Detention Center in southwestern Seoul following a court hearing on her potential arrest, will be detained immediately, according to Yonhap News.
Her arrest, combined with her husband's, former President Yoon Suk Yeol's, detention last month, marks the first time a former couple has been detained at the same time in South Korean history.
The Seoul Central District Court issued the warrant five days after special counsel Min Joong-ki's team requested it, citing concerns that Kim would destroy evidence.
Her lawyers, in turn, cited her compliance with questioning and poor health.
Kim denies all 16 charges.