A South Korean court on Wednesday sentenced former First Lady Kim Keon Hee to 20 months in prison for accepting bribes from the Unification Church, just weeks before the verdict on her husband, ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, is expected in a high-profile rebellion case.
Kim, who has been in custody since August, was found guilty of receiving luxury gifts, including a Graff diamond necklace and a Chanel bag, in exchange for promises of business favors. The court emphasized her influential position as First Lady, noting that she exploited her symbolic role to pursue personal gain. However, the court cleared her of charges related to stock price manipulation and political funding law violations, citing insufficient evidence.
The ruling comes amid ongoing legal battles for Yoon, who faces potentially life-altering charges over his brief declaration of martial law in December 2024—a move that ultimately led to his impeachment. Prosecutors have requested the death penalty for Yoon, while independent counsel teams maintain he acted to consolidate power, not to protect Kim.
The decision sparked sharp reactions in South Korea. The liberal Democratic Party criticized the verdict, saying it could send the wrong message about abuse of power, while Kim’s defense described the 20-month term as “relatively high” and hinted at a potential appeal.
During her pre-arrest statements, Kim expressed regret for public concern but portrayed herself as a minor figure in the unfolding political drama. Analysts note that her conviction marks a significant chapter in the presidential couple’s dramatic fall from grace, following scandals that severely damaged Yoon’s approval rating and fueled political tensions across the country.
The court is expected to deliver Yoon’s verdict on the rebellion charges in the coming weeks, with South Korean politics closely watching the outcome of the high-stakes case.
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