Kim Keon Hee, the wife of South Korea's ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for corruption, marking a dramatic fall from grace for the former first lady. The court found her guilty of receiving luxury gifts, including a Graff diamond necklace and a Chanel bag, from the Unification Church in return for promises of political favours.
Court Cites Abuse of Position
In a televised verdict, the court emphasised the significant influence a first lady holds, stating, "Being closest to a president, a first lady can exert significant influence on him and is a symbolic figure who represents the country together with a president. But the defendant exploited her position to seek personal gains." Kim responded through her lawyers, saying she would "humbly accept" the court's view and "apologises again to everyone for causing concerns."
Surprise Sentence Amidst High-Stakes Charges
The 20-month sentence came as a surprise, given that independent counsel Min Joong-ki had called for a 15-year prison term on three charges: stock price manipulation, political funding law violations, and accepting bribes. The court acquitted Kim of two other charges due to a lack of evidence. Min's team has announced plans to appeal to a higher court, while the governing liberal Democratic party criticised the verdict as sending a wrong signal that "abuse of power like Kim Keon Hee's can be tolerated."
Legal and Political Fallout
Kim's lawyer, Choi Ji-woo, argued that Min's investigation was politically driven and described the 20-month term as "relatively high," with the defence team considering whether to appeal. Kim has been in jail since August, when a Seoul court approved an arrest warrant, citing concerns she might destroy evidence.
This ruling occurs as Yoon Suk Yeol awaits a verdict on a rebellion charge related to his imposition of martial law in December 2024, which led to his impeachment and removal from office. Investigators have stated that Kim was not involved in Yoon's martial law enforcement, though many observers had speculated that Yoon's actions were aimed at protecting his wife from investigations.
Broader Implications for South Korean Politics
The sentencing highlights the ongoing political turmoil in South Korea, with Yoon already serving a five-year prison term for defying authorities during the martial law debacle. The case against Kim adds to a series of scandals that severely damaged Yoon's approval rating while in office, providing relentless ammunition to his political rivals. As the court prepares to deliver its verdict on Yoon's rebellion charge in the coming weeks, the fate of this former presidential couple continues to captivate the nation and international observers alike.
