Seoul, South Korea – A South Korean court has sentenced former first lady Kim Keon Hee to seven years in prison after convicting her of accepting luxury gifts from businesspeople and others seeking political and business favors. The Seoul Central District Court delivered the ruling on Friday.
The sentence comes months after an appeals court handed Kim a four-year prison term in a separate case concerning charges of accepting gifts from the Unification Church and profiting from stock price manipulation.
"Given the nature of the position, a president’s spouse must exercise the highest degree of self-restraint and vigilance," said Judge Jo Soon-pyo. "Nevertheless, defendant Kim Keon Hee neglected that social responsibility and repeatedly accepted valuables by exploiting her influence as a means of brokering favors."
The court also ordered the confiscation of items Kim received, including a Van Cleef & Arpels diamond necklace, a Tiffany brooch, a Dior handbag, a storage case for a gold turtle figurine, and a painting by artist Lee Ufan. The court found Kim guilty of accepting the Van Cleef & Arpels necklace and other jewelry items, totaling 138 million won ($90,000), from Seohee Construction Chairman Lee Bong-kwan in exchange for securing a government post for Lee’s son-in-law. Lee Bong-kwan received a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.
Kim was also convicted of accepting a luxury watch from businessman Seo Seong-bin, who sought government support for his robotic dogs business; a Dior handbag and other gifts from Pastor Choi Jae-yong, who wanted to join a civilian diplomatic delegation and other government-funded programs; a gold turtle and a traditional painting from former National Education Commission chief Lee Bae-yong, who lobbied for her appointment; and a painting by Lee Ufan worth 140 million won ($90,900) from former senior prosecutor Kim Sang-min, who sought the conservative party’s nomination for the 2024 legislative elections. Seo and Lee Bae-yong received suspended prison sentences, and Choi was fined 8 million won ($5,200).
Kim, who has admitted receiving gifts but denied they were tied to favors, has been standing trial in multiple cases since her arrest last August. Her lawyers have not yet stated whether they will appeal Friday's verdict.
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office in April 2025, following impeachment proceedings related to his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024. Yoon is currently on trial in multiple cases, including appeals against a life sentence for rebellion and a separate 30-year prison term concerning allegations that he ordered drone flights over North Korea’s capital. Liberal President Lee Jae Myung, who succeeded Yoon, has authorized investigations into Yoon's martial law imposition and other allegations involving his administration and Kim.