Kim Keon Hee, the former First Lady of South Korea, received a seven-year prison sentence on Friday for bribery, as a court determined she accepted luxury items, including jewelry and a Dior handbag, in exchange for political favors, according to reports.
The presiding judge at the Central District Court in Seoul stated that Kim, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol—who was removed from office last year following a failed attempt to impose martial law—received bribes both prior to and during her husband’s presidency.
In his remarks, the judge noted that Kim exploited her position as First Lady to facilitate the acquisition of government posts and business advantages.
“She used her influence to assist certain individuals in securing important roles within the government or the National Assembly,” the judge said. “She accepted these improper benefits without hesitation, which ordinary people would struggle to encounter in their lifetime,” he emphasized.
Luxury Items Received by Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee
The list of items received as bribes included jewelry such as a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, a Tiffany brooch, and a pair of Graff earrings, the judge specified.
Additionally, Kim received a gold turtle, a Dior handbag, a Vacheron Constantin watch valued at 39 million won (approximately $25,350), and a painting estimated at 140 million won.
The judge stated that the actions of the former First Lady severely undermined public trust in the integrity of appointments to public positions.
Sources of Bribery for First Lady Kim Keon Hee
The judge identified several individuals who provided bribes, including the owner of a construction company seeking a government position for his son-in-law, a pastor wishing to expand his connections with high-ranking officials, a former leader of a private university, and the CEO of a robotic dog trading company aiming to supply products to the presidential security team.
The court also imposed a fine of 64.8 million won and ordered the confiscation of the bribed items, contingent on their recovery.
Kim has denied all allegations. Her attorney told reporters that they plan to appeal the ruling, claiming the judge overstated the significance of unfavorable evidence against her.
Currently, Kim is incarcerated following a separate conviction for stock manipulation and receiving bribes from the Unification Church of South Korea. In April, she was sentenced to four years in prison for these offenses.
Her husband, Yoon Suk Yeol, was sentenced to life in prison in February for orchestrating an insurrection related to the imposition of martial law in 2024.
