South Korea’s former first lady, Kim Keon Hee, has been sentenced to one year and eight months in prison for bribery, marking the latest chapter in a series of scandals surrounding the ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol and his family. The court ruling relates to one of three criminal cases she faces, and both prosecutors and Kim’s legal team may appeal the decision.
The Seoul District Court found Kim guilty of accepting luxury items, including a Chanel bag and a Graff diamond necklace, from the Unification Church. However, she was acquitted of stock manipulation charges, conspiring with her husband to obtain free public opinion polls, and a second Chanel bag due to lack of sufficient evidence or statute of limitations. Prosecutors estimated the total value of stocks, bribes, and poll-related gains at 1.15 billion Korean won (around $813,000).
Judge Woo In-seong stated that Kim “misused her status as a means of pursuing profit” and had been eager to accept expensive gifts. At the same time, the court noted she did not request the gifts or act as a messenger for her husband and is currently reflecting on her actions.
Kim’s legal troubles come amid wider controversies involving her husband, Yoon, who faces charges of insurrection after briefly declaring martial law in 2024, alongside multiple other allegations. Kim’s scandal, however, has been unfolding for over a decade, including accusations of stock manipulation linked to a BMW dealership and inflated academic credentials that led to the revocation of her master’s and doctoral degrees.
The immediate trigger for her public downfall was a $2,200 Christian Dior handbag, which surfaced in secretly filmed footage showing her receiving the gift without clearly rejecting it. South Korea’s anti-graft laws prohibit public officials and their spouses from accepting gifts over $750 connected to their official duties.
The scandal contributed to a dramatic political crisis, culminating in Yoon’s impeachment and removal from office. Kim’s husband has already received a five-year prison sentence, and several other members of their administration, including the prime minister, have been sentenced for corruption. This marks the first time in South Korean history that a former presidential couple has been jailed simultaneously.
Throughout the trials, Yoon has repeatedly avoided answering questions about his wife’s actions, maintaining the couple’s denial of wrongdoing. Observers note that the Kim-Yoon case is shaping up as one of the most high-profile political corruption cases in recent South Korean history, highlighting the risks of luxury and influence in public office.
