Kim Keon Hee, wife of ousted South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for corruption, a Seoul court ruled. Kim was convicted of receiving luxury gifts — including a Graff diamond necklace and a Chanel bag from the Unification Church — in return for promises of political favours.
The court said in a televised verdict that as first lady, Kim “exploited her position to seek personal gains.” She was acquitted on two other charges due to lack of evidence. Independent counsel Min Joong-ki, who had sought a 15-year term on charges including stock price manipulation, political funding violations, and bribery, said his team would appeal the verdict.
Kim, who has been in detention since August when a Seoul court approved an arrest warrant citing a risk of evidence destruction, said through her lawyers she would “humbly accept” the court’s decision and apologized for causing public concern. Her defence has accused the investigation of being politically driven and said it may consider an appeal.
Kim was not implicated in former president Yoon’s enforcement of martial law in December 2024, a move that led to his impeachment and removal from office. Yoon was recently sentenced to five years in prison on charges including defying authorities’ detention orders. He also faces a separate rebellion charge related to the martial law decree, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty or life imprisonment. Investigators have said there is no evidence that Kim’s legal troubles motivated Yoon’s declaration of martial law.
