Former South Korean first lady Kim Keon Hee has been sentenced to seven years in prison by the Seoul Central District Court for accepting luxury gifts in exchange for favours, according to Judge Jo Soon-pyo. The court found that she exploited her influence as the president's spouse to broker favours, receiving items including a Van Cleef & Arpels diamond necklace, a Tiffany brooch, a Dior handbag, a gold turtle sculpture, and a painting by artist Lee Ufan.
Court Ruling and Sentence
Judge Jo Soon-pyo stated, “Given the nature of the position, a president’s spouse must exercise the highest degree of self-restraint and vigilance. Nevertheless, defendant Kim Keon Hee neglected that social responsibility and repeatedly accepted valuables by exploiting her influence as a means of brokering favours.” The court also ordered the confiscation of all gifts received.
Kim, wearing a gray suit and white face mask, listened quietly with her head bowed. She has admitted receiving the gifts but denied they were tied to favours. Her legal team criticised the verdict as based on a “loose interpretation” of insufficient evidence and said they would appeal.
Additional Cases and Sentences
This sentence adds to a four-year jail term Kim is already serving from an appeals court in a separate case involving gifts from the Unification Church and a stock price manipulation scheme. She has been standing trial in multiple cases since her arrest in August 2025.
A special prosecutor indicted Kim in December 2025 on bribery charges, including receiving a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace and other jewellery worth 138 million won (£68,000) from Seohee Construction Chairman Lee Bong-kwan in exchange for securing a government post for Lee's son-in-law. The court found Kim guilty on that charge and gave Lee a one-year suspended sentence.
Details of Bribery Convictions
Kim was also convicted of accepting a luxury watch from businessman Seo Seong-bin, who sought government support for his robotic dogs business; a Dior handbag and other gifts from Pastor Choi Jae-yong, who wanted to join a civilian diplomatic delegation; a gold turtle and traditional painting from former National Education Commission chief Lee Bae-yong, who lobbied for her appointment; and a painting by Lee Ufan worth 140 million won (£69,000) from former senior prosecutor Kim Sang-min, who sought nomination for the 2024 legislative elections. The court gave Seo and Lee Bae-yong suspended prison sentences and fined Choi 8 million won (£4,000).
Context of Yoon Suk Yeol's Impeachment
Kim's husband, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, was removed from office in April 2025 after being impeached for imposing martial law in December 2024. Arrested in July 2025, Yoon is standing trial in multiple cases and has appealed a life sentence for rebellion and a separate 30-year term for ordering drone flights over North Korea to justify martial law. Liberal President Lee Jae Myung, elected in 2025, has authorised investigations into Yoon's martial law and allegations involving his government and wife.
