Once a symbol of presidential glamour and influence, former first lady Kim Keon-hee on Wednesday became a defining figure in one of South Korea’s most consequential corruption cases, as a court sentenced her to 20 months in prison for accepting luxury gifts tied to requests for business favours.
Where luxury ends and bribery begins
The Seoul Central District Court ruled that Kim had accepted a Chanel bag and a high-end Graff necklace in July 2022 from a Unification Church official seeking favourable treatment, concluding that the gifts crossed the line from personal tokens into criminal bribes.
The court ordered her to forfeit KRW12.8 million ($9,000).
“The defendant misused her position as a means to seek profit,” the court was quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency.
“(She) failed to reject high-end luxury goods shared in connection with the Unification Church’s requests and focused on her own adornment.”
The sentence was far lighter than the 15-year prison term sought by special counsel Min Joong-ki’s team, reflecting the court’s decision to acquit Kim of several high-profile charges.
Judges found insufficient evidence to convict her of participating in a stock price manipulation scheme involving Deutsch Motors or of violating the Political Funds Act over free opinion polls allegedly provided ahead of the 2022 election.
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A conviction that reshapes a presidency
The ruling nevertheless carries historic weight.
With Kim now imprisoned and her husband, former President Yoon Suk-yeol, already serving a five-year sentence over his 2024 martial law bid, the pair have become South Korea’s first former presidential couple to receive criminal convictions and prison terms.
After the verdict, prosecutors said they would appeal, calling the decision difficult to accept.
Kim’s lawyers described the sentence as “relatively high” for the remaining charges and said they were weighing their options.
In remarks released by her legal team following a visit at the detention centre, Kim said, “I humbly accept the court’s stern words today and will not regard them lightly. Once again I am sorry to everyone for having caused concern.”
Kim, who has been in custody since August, has consistently denied wrongdoing.
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