A South Korean court sentenced former first lady Kim Keon-hee to seven years in prison on Friday for accepting luxury gifts from businesspeople and others seeking political and business favors. The Seoul Central District Court found Kim guilty of leveraging her position as the spouse of former President Yoon Suk Yeol to facilitate personal appointments and government favors in exchange for valuable items.
Kim, 53, who is already serving a four-year sentence for separate charges including stock manipulation and bribery, faced new accusations related to gifts she received before and during Yoon’s presidency. The court cited evidence that she accepted high-value items such as a Van Cleef & Arpels diamond necklace, a Tiffany brooch, Graff earrings, a Dior handbag, a gold turtle figurine, and a luxury watch among others. These items, collectively valued in the tens of thousands of dollars, were reportedly given by individuals including construction magnate Lee Bong-kwan, robotic technology entrepreneur Seo Seong-bin, former education official Lee Baeyong, and former senior prosecutor Kim Sang-min, each seeking government posts or political support.
Judge Jo Soon-pyo emphasized the social responsibility expected of a president’s spouse, stating that Kim showed a disregard for such responsibility by repeatedly accepting valuables through her influence. The court also imposed fines on some of the businessmen involved and suspended prison sentences on others linked to the bribery scheme. In addition to the prison term, the court ordered the confiscation of the bribe-related items.
Kim has denied that the gifts were connected to favors, acknowledging receipt but disputing the characterization of quid pro quo arrangements. Her legal team criticized the ruling as based on an overly broad interpretation of insufficient evidence and said they would appeal the verdict.
Kim’s husband, Yoon Suk Yeol, a former conservative president who was impeached and removed from office in April 2025 after a brief and controversial imposition of martial law in late 2024, is currently serving a life sentence related to charges of rebellion and inciting tensions with North Korea. Multiple investigations authorized by current liberal President Lee Jae Myung have focused on Yoon’s administration and Kim’s activities.
The sentencing marks a continuation of legal consequences surrounding the former first family amid ongoing political and corruption probes that have drawn significant public attention in South Korea.