A former first lady of South Korea, Kim Keon Hee, was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison by a South Korean court on Wednesday. She was found guilty of receiving Chanel bags and a diamond pendant from officials of the Unification Church in exchange for political favors. Kim, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office last year, was acquitted of charges related to stock price manipulation and violations of the political funds act.
The court ruling can be appealed by both Kim and the prosecutors. This verdict is part of a series of trials stemming from investigations into Yoon’s brief imposition of martial law in 2024 and scandals involving the once-influential couple. The court emphasized that the role of the first lady carries symbolic significance but does not entail formal power to engage in state affairs.
Kim was ordered to pay a fine of 12.8 million won (approximately $12,155 Cdn) and surrender the confiscated diamond necklace. She has been in detention since August during the investigation led by a special prosecutor. Prosecutors had initially sought a 15-year prison term for Kim but she was cleared of charges related to stock price manipulation and political funding violations.
Kim, who denied all allegations, appeared in court wearing a dark suit and a face mask. Her lawyer indicated that they would review the ruling before deciding on appealing the bribery conviction. Supporters of Yoon and Kim cheered outside the court after the announcement of the not-guilty verdicts on two charges.
Yoon, who was ousted from power in April, is facing multiple trials, including charges of insurrection following his failed attempt to enforce martial law in December 2024. He has appealed a five-year jail sentence for resisting arrest after the martial law decree. Furthermore, prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Yoon in a separate trial for allegedly orchestrating an insurrection, with the court set to deliver its judgment on February 19. Yoon maintains that declaring martial law was within his presidential authority and was intended to address government obstruction by opposition parties.
