The spouse of deposed South Korean leader Yoon Suk Yeol, who was given valuable gifts like a diamond necklace, luxury artworks, and a Tiffany brooch in exchange for favors, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for corruption by the Seoul Central District Court.
Former first lady Kim Keon Hee, already serving a four-year jail term in another case involving gifts from the Unification Church and stock manipulation, was found guilty of exploiting her position to accept gifts and favors.
The court emphasized the importance of integrity for a president’s spouse and criticized Kim for using her influence to receive valuables for personal gain.
Among the confiscated gifts were a Van Cleef & Arpels diamond necklace, a Tiffany brooch, a Dior handbag, a gold turtle sculpture, and a painting by artist Lee Ufan.
Despite admitting to receiving the gifts, Kim denied any connection to favors and listened quietly to the verdict in court, wearing a gray suit and a face mask.
Kim’s legal team criticized the verdict, calling it based on insufficient evidence and announced plans to appeal the decision.
Yoon, who was removed from office in 2025 after a brief martial law imposition, is facing multiple trials and has appealed life and 30-year prison sentences for various charges.
President Lee Jae Myung has initiated investigations into Yoon’s actions and his wife’s involvement in corruption cases.
Kim was indicted for bribery charges in December, including receiving expensive gifts in exchange for influencing government appointments. The court also sentenced one of the gift-givers, Lee Bong-kwan, to a suspended prison term.
In addition to the bribery charges, Kim was found guilty of accepting gifts from other individuals seeking government support or favors, leading to convictions and suspended prison sentences for those involved.
The court’s rulings reflect a crackdown on corruption and abuse of power within South Korea’s political circles.