Kim Keon Hee, the wife of South Korea’s impeached former president Yoon Suk Yeol, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for corruption. The Seoul court found her guilty of receiving luxury gifts, including a Graff diamond necklace and a Chanel bag, from the Unification Church in exchange for promises of political favours.
In a televised verdict, the court stated: “Being closest to a president, a first lady can exert significant influence on him and is a symbolic figure who represents the country together with a president. But the defendant exploited her position to seek personal gains.” Kim, through her lawyers, said she would “humbly accept” the court’s view and apologised for causing concern.
The sentence was a surprise after independent counsel Min Joong-ki had called for a 15-year term on three charges, including stock price manipulation and bribery. The court acquitted Kim of two charges due to lack of evidence. Min’s team said it would appeal, while the governing Democratic Party criticised the verdict as tolerating abuse of power.
Kim’s lawyer, Choi Ji-woo, described the investigation as politically driven and said the 20-month term was “relatively high,” adding that the defence would consider an appeal. Kim has been in custody since August on arrest warrant citing risk of evidence destruction.
The ruling comes as Yoon awaits a verdict on rebellion charges related to his December 2024 martial law decree, which led to his impeachment and removal. Investigators have said Kim was not involved in the martial law enforcement, and a separate inquiry downplayed speculation that her legal troubles motivated Yoon’s actions.
