A South Korean court yesterday sentenced former first lady Kim Keon-hee to 20 months in jail for accepting Chanel bags and a diamond pendant from Unification Church officials in return for providing political favors.
The wife of former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol, who was ousted from office last year, was cleared on other charges of stock manipulation and violating the political funds act.
Prosecutors would appeal the not-guilty verdicts, media reports said.
Photo: Reuters
The ruling comes amid a series of trials stemming from investigations into Yoon’s brief imposition of martial law in 2024 and related scandals involving the once-powerful couple.
Kim had denied all the charges and her lawyer said the team would review the Seoul Central District Court’s ruling and decide whether to appeal the bribery conviction.
The lead judge of the three-justice bench said the position of first lady does not come with any formal power allowing involvement in state affairs, but is a symbolic role representing the country.
“A person who was in such a position might not always be a role model, but the person must not be a bad example to the public,” Judge Woo In-sung said in the ruling.
The court fined her 12.8 million won (US$8,959) and ordered the confiscation of the necklace. Kim has been detained since August while under investigation.
Prosecutors had demanded 15 years in jail and fines of 2.9 billion won if she was found guilty on all charges.
A statement from Kim’s lawyers said she “humbly accepts the court’s stern criticism” and is “sorry for causing public concern.”
Supporters of Yoon and Kim, who braved freezing temperatures outside the court compound, cheered after the not-guilty verdicts on two of the charges were delivered.
Yoon, who was ousted from power in April last year, faces eight trials on charges including insurrection, after his failed bid to impose martial law in December 2024.
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