South Korea's Ex-First Lady Gets 20 Months for Corruption

Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee Convicted in Luxury Gifts Scandal

Kim Keon Hee, the wife of ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for corruption. The Seoul Central District Court found the 53-year-old former first lady guilty of accepting luxury gifts including Chanel handbags and a diamond necklace in exchange for political favors between April and July 2022.

The court ruled that Kim had 'misused her position as a means of pursuing personal gain' and failed to reject solicitations from a Unification Church official who provided the gifts. Prosecutors had sought a 15-year prison term, but the court handed down a significantly lighter sentence while ordering Kim to return the diamond necklace and repay 12.85 million won (approximately £6,500).

Acquitted on More Serious Charges

In a partial victory for the defense, Kim was acquitted of separate allegations involving stock price manipulation and violations of South Korea's Political Funds Act. The court found insufficient evidence to prove her involvement in the stock manipulation scheme involving Deutsche Motors between 2010-2012, which prosecutors had alleged was part of a broader pattern of financial misconduct.

'The court has carefully weighed the evidence and found that while the bribery charges were proven, the more serious allegations lacked sufficient proof,' said legal analyst Park Ji-hoon in comments to The Independent.

Historic Moment for South Korean Politics

This conviction marks a historic moment in South Korean politics, as both members of the former presidential couple are now imprisoned. Yoon Suk Yeol, who served as president from 2022 until his impeachment and removal in 2025, was sentenced to five years in prison earlier this month for abuse of power, obstruction of justice, and document forgery related to his failed martial law declaration in December 2024.

According to The Korea Times, the court found that Yoon had violated constitutional procedures by notifying only some Cabinet members about the martial law meeting and had created a 'fake proclamation' to make the declaration appear lawful.

Broader Political Context

The convictions come amid a broader political crisis in South Korea. Yoon's presidency was marked by controversy from the beginning, with his approval ratings consistently low and his party suffering a major defeat in the 2024 parliamentary elections. His attempt to declare martial law in December 2024 - the first such declaration since the military dictatorship of Chun Doo-hwan in 1980 - sparked massive protests in Seoul and led to his impeachment and eventual removal from office.

As noted in Wikipedia, Yoon became the first sitting president in South Korean history to face an arrest warrant and the first to be arrested and incarcerated while in office.

Legal Proceedings Continue

Both Kim and Yoon can appeal their convictions, and prosecutors may also appeal seeking longer sentences. Kim has been in detention since August 2025 when the court approved her arrest warrant, citing concerns she might destroy evidence.

Yoon faces even more serious charges in a separate insurrection case where prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. That trial continues, with legal experts noting it could result in life imprisonment if he's convicted.

The cases represent a dramatic fall from power for a couple who entered the presidential Blue House in 2022 promising reform and anti-corruption measures. Their convictions underscore South Korea's continued commitment to holding even the highest officials accountable under the law.