A South Korean court on Wednesday sentenced Kim Keon, the former First Lady and wife of ousted ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol, to one year and eight months (20 months) in prison in a corruption-related case involving the acceptance of expensive gifts. The court held that Kim had received luxury items from an official linked to the Unification Church in exchange for potential business benefits.
The verdict was delivered by the Seoul Central District Court, which also ordered the confiscation of 12.8 million won (approximately $9,000). With this ruling, Kim and her husband have become South Korea’s first former presidential couple to be sentenced to prison in criminal cases, a development that has sent strong ripples through the country’s political landscape.
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Sentence far below prosecution demand
The special prosecutor’s team, led by Min Joong-ki, had sought a 15-year prison term for Kim, arguing that she had abused her position and influence as First Lady to facilitate favours for religious and business-linked entities. Prosecutors contended that the gifts were not symbolic but transactional, aimed at securing leverage and access at the highest levels of power.
However, the court rejected the prosecution’s demand as excessive and imposed a substantially lighter sentence. Kim was acquitted of charges related to stock price manipulation and violations of the Political Funds Act, with the court ruling that the prosecution failed to produce sufficient evidence to prove her direct involvement in those offences.
Luxury gifts at the centre of the case
According to the court, Kim accepted a Chanel handbag and a high-end Graff necklace in July 2022 from a Unification Church official. The court ruled that these items went beyond the scope of personal courtesy and constituted gifts intended to influence decisions and secure advantages.
However, the court declined to treat another Chanel handbag received in April 2022 as a bribe, stating that there was no evidence of a specific request or quid pro quo associated with that particular item. The distinction played a key role in limiting the scope of criminal liability and reducing the overall sentence.
Politically charged backdrop
The case unfolded against an already volatile political backdrop. Kim’s husband, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, has been removed from office and is currently facing trial over allegations linked to an attempt to impose martial law in 2024, a charge that prosecutors have framed as an act of rebellion.
The overlapping legal troubles of the former First Lady and the ex-President have made the case one of the most politically sensitive in recent South Korean history, drawing intense public scrutiny and media attention.
Political analysts say the verdict underscores South Korea’s longstanding pattern of strict judicial action against former leaders and their families, reflecting the country’s emphasis on accountability in public life, regardless of status or office.
Reactions and next legal steps
Following the verdict, the special prosecutor’s office announced that it would appeal the sentence, arguing that the prison term was disproportionately lenient compared to the gravity of the offence.
Kim’s legal team, meanwhile, criticised the ruling, stating that imprisonment for accepting money and luxury items was excessively harsh. The defence said it was reviewing legal options and would decide whether to challenge the conviction in a higher court.
Broader national impact
The sentencing of a former First Lady has sparked widespread debate in South Korea over political ethics, transparency and the limits of informal influence exercised by spouses of elected leaders. Observers believe the ruling could have a lasting impact on public expectations of accountability among political elites.
With appeals expected from both sides, the case is far from over. Legal experts anticipate that it will return to the spotlight in the coming months, once again placing South Korea’s judiciary and political culture under intense examination.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
