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A South Korean court on Wednesday sentenced former first lady Kim Keon Hee to one year and eight months in prison after finding her guilty of accepting Chanel bags and a diamond pendant from Unification Church officials in exchange for political favors.
The court cleared Kim, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted from office last year, of charges of manipulating stock prices and violating the political funds law.
Prosecutors will appeal both not guilty verdicts, media reports said.
The ruling, which Kim can also appeal, comes amid a series of lawsuits following investigations into Yoon’s brief imposition of martial law in 2024 and related scandals involving the once-powerful couple.
The position of first lady does not confer any formal powers to involve herself in state affairs, but she is a symbolic figure representing the country, the chief judge of a three-judge court said.
“A person who finds himself in such a position may not always be a role model, but he should not be a bad example to the public,” he said in the judgment.
The court ordered her to pay a fine of 12.8 million won (approximately CAN$12,155) and ordered the confiscation of the diamond necklace. Kim has been detained since August while under investigation by a team led by a special prosecutor.
Prosecutors had requested 15 years in prison. The court cleared Kim of charges of manipulating stock prices and violating political financing laws.
Kim had denied all accusations. His lawyer said the team would review the decision and decide whether to appeal the corruption conviction.
Kim, dressed in a dark suit and wearing a face mask, was escorted by guards into the courtroom of the Seoul Central District Court and sat quietly as the verdict was delivered.
Supporters of Yoon and Kim, who braved freezing temperatures outside the court grounds, applauded after the not guilty verdicts on two of the charges were delivered.
The Unification Church said the gifts were delivered without expectation. Its leader Han Hak-ja, who is also on trial, has denied that she ordered him to bribe Kim.
Yoon faces more trials
Yoon, who was ousted from power last April, also faces eight trials on charges including insurrection after his failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024.
He appealed the five-year prison sentence he received this month for obstructing attempts to arrest him after martial law was declared.
In another trial this month, prosecutors sought the death penalty against Yoon for fomenting an insurrection. The court will rule on the case on February 19.
Yoon argued that it was within his powers as president to declare martial law and that the action was aimed at sounding the alarm about obstruction of the government by opposition parties.
