Kim Keon Hee, the wife of South Korea's ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for corruption, marking a dramatic fall from grace for the former first lady. The Seoul court found her guilty of receiving luxury gifts, including a Graff diamond necklace and a Chanel bag, from the Unification Church in return for promises of political favours.
Court Condemns Abuse of Position
In a televised verdict, the court emphasised the significant influence a first lady holds, stating, "Being closest to a president, a first lady can exert significant influence on him and is a symbolic figure who represents the country together with a president. But the defendant exploited her position to seek personal gains." Kim responded through her lawyers, saying she would "humbly accept" the court's view and "apologises again to everyone for causing concerns."
Surprise Sentence After Hefty Demands
The 20-month sentence came as a surprise, given that independent counsel Min Joong-ki had called for a 15-year prison term on three charges: stock price manipulation, political funding law violations, and accepting bribes. The court acquitted Kim of two other charges due to a lack of evidence. Min's team announced it would appeal to a higher court, while the governing liberal Democratic party, which led Yoon's ouster, criticised the verdict as sending a wrong signal that "abuse of power like Kim Keon Hee's can be tolerated."
Legal and Political Fallout
Kim's lawyer, Choi Ji-woo, argued that Min's investigation was politically driven and described the 20-month term as "relatively high," adding that her defence team would discuss whether to appeal. Kim has been in jail since August, when the Seoul court approved an arrest warrant, citing concerns she might destroy evidence.
This ruling unfolds against the backdrop of Yoon Suk Yeol's own legal troubles. The ousted president, who is jailed separately, awaits a verdict on a high-stakes rebellion charge related to his imposition of martial law in December 2024, which could result in the death penalty or life imprisonment. Investigators have clarified that Kim was not involved in Yoon's martial law enforcement, despite speculation that her scandals might have driven his actions.
Scandals That Shook a Presidency
During Yoon's tenure, Kim was embroiled in a series of scandals that severely damaged the conservative leader's approval ratings and provided relentless ammunition to his political rivals. These scandals included the charges addressed in Wednesday's verdict. Many observers had speculated that Yoon declared martial law to protect his wife from investigations, but an independent counsel, Cho Eun-suk, downplayed this in December, stating Yoon had plotted for over a year to eliminate opponents and monopolise power, with no evidence of Kim's involvement.
The verdict against Kim arrives about three weeks before the court is expected to deliver its decision on Yoon's rebellion charge, with Cho's team demanding the death sentence. This case highlights the ongoing political and legal turmoil in South Korea, underscoring the consequences of corruption and abuse of power at the highest levels of government.
