A South Korean court has ordered the arrest of the wife of jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol as investigators seek to charge her over various suspected crimes, including bribery, stock manipulation and meddling in the selection of a political candidate.

South Korea's former first lady has been arrested over a string of charges including stock manipulation and bribery. Kim Keon Hee, 52, denied all charges against her during a court hearing on Tuesday that lasted four hours. The Seoul court issued a warrant to detain her late in the day, citing risks that she may destroy evidence otherwise.

Yoon Suk-yeol and Kim Keon-hee are the first presidential couple to be simultaneously arrested over criminal allegations.