Former South Korean First Lady Convicted in Bribery Case

Former South Korean First Lady Kim Keon Hee was sentenced to an additional seven years in prison after being convicted of accepting bribes, including luxury gifts, in exchange for political favors.

The court found that both before and during her husband Yoon Suk-yeol's presidency, Kim accepted jewelry, a handbag, a watch and a painting from people seeking political influence.

According to the ruling, she used her position as first lady to secure jobs, business advantages and influence over government and parliamentary appointments. Those who provided the gifts included businesspeople, a pastor, a former president of a private university and the head of a company seeking to supply robotic dogs to the presidential security service.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court fined Kim 64.8 million won ($48,000) and ordered the confiscation of the gifts if they are recovered.

Kim has denied the charges and said she will appeal the verdict.

She is already serving a four-year prison sentence imposed in April for stock manipulation and accepting bribes linked to the Unification Church.

Her husband, former President Yoon Suk-yeol, has been serving a life sentence since February after being convicted over his failed attempt to impose martial law in 2024.

(reuters, lud)