**South Korea’s Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee Sentenced to Seven Years for Bribery**
Seoul, South Korea – In a significant ruling, Kim Keon Hee, the former First Lady of South Korea, was sentenced to seven years in prison on Friday for her involvement in a bribery scandal. The Seoul Central District Court found her guilty of accepting luxury items, including jewelry and high-end handbags, in exchange for political favors during and prior to her husband Yoon Suk Yeol's presidency.
The court's lead judge highlighted that Kim exploited her position as First Lady to facilitate job placements and business opportunities for individuals seeking government or parliamentary roles. "She exercised her power as First Lady to offer jobs and business favours," the judge stated, emphasizing the gravity of her actions which undermined public trust in the integrity of governmental appointments.
The luxury items received by Kim included a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, a Tiffany brooch, Graff earrings, a Dior handbag, a gold turtle, a Vacheron Constantin watch valued at approximately 39 million won (around $25,350), and a painting worth 140 million won. The judge noted that these extravagant gifts were not typical for ordinary citizens and reflected a serious breach of ethical conduct.
The court also revealed that the bribes were solicited from various individuals, including a construction company owner looking to secure a government position for his son-in-law, a pastor aiming to strengthen ties with influential officials, the former head of a private university, and the CEO of a robotic dog company seeking to supply products to the presidential security detail.
In addition to her prison sentence, Kim was fined 64.8 million won and ordered to forfeit any bribe-related items that could be located. Despite the verdict, Kim has consistently denied the charges against her. Her legal team announced plans to appeal the ruling, claiming that the judge had exaggerated evidence that was detrimental to her case, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.
This ruling follows a previous conviction in April, where Kim was sentenced to four years in prison for charges related to stock manipulation and accepting bribes from South Korea’s Unification Church. Her husband, Yoon Suk Yeol, who served as president until his ousting in 2025 due to a failed attempt to impose martial law, was sentenced to life imprisonment in February for orchestrating an insurrection linked to his controversial governance.
The case against Kim Keon Hee has drawn significant public attention, reflecting ongoing concerns regarding corruption and the abuse of power within South Korea's political landscape. As the legal proceedings continue, the implications of this case may further influence public perception of political figures and their accountability in the nation.