South Korean Ex‑First Lady Kim Keon Hee Sentenced to 20 Months for Luxury‑Gift Bribery
Updated (2 articles)
Kim Keon Hee Receives 20‑Month Prison Term On 28 January 2026 the Seoul Central District Court sentenced former first lady Kim Keon Hee to one year and eight months for accepting a Chanel bag and a Graff necklace from a Unification Church official in July 2022, ordering her to forfeit 12.8 million won (≈US$9,000) [1][2]. The court distinguished a second Chanel bag received in April 2022 as non‑bribery because no explicit request accompanied it [1]. Kim has been in custody since August 2025, and the verdict concludes her corruption trial [2].
Prosecutors’ Requested Penalty Was Far More Severe Special counsel Min Joong‑ki’s team asked the judges to impose a 15‑year prison term, arguing that Kim’s conduct warranted a harsh punishment and included alleged stock‑price manipulation and Political Funds Act violations [1][2]. The judges rejected the request, acquitting her of the stock‑price and political‑funds accusations and delivering a substantially shorter sentence [1][2]. This disparity highlights the court’s narrower view of the evidence presented.
First Former Presidential Couple Imprisoned in South Korea Kim’s sentencing, together with former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s separate five‑year term for a 2024 martial‑law insurrection bid, makes the duo the nation’s inaugural ex‑presidential pair to serve criminal sentences [1][2]. Yoon’s case continues with additional insurrection‑related charges pending trial [2]. Their imprisonments signal an unprecedented legal reckoning for South Korea’s recent leadership.
Unresolved Allegations and Potential Appeals Remain Prosecutors alleged Kim conspired with a former Deutsch Motors executive to manipulate stock prices (2010‑12) for 810 million won and received free opinion polls worth 270 million won, but the court found insufficient proof to confirm her participation [1][2]. Both the prosecution and Kim’s defense have indicated intentions to appeal the verdict, describing it as “difficult to accept” and weighing further legal steps [1]. The outcome of these appeals could affect the finality of the case and its broader political implications.
Sources
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1.
Yonhap: Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee Sentenced to 20 Months for Bribe‑Related Gifts – Details the court’s ruling, specific luxury items deemed bribery, forfeiture amount, and notes the prosecution’s appeal plans .
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2.
Yonhap: Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee Sentenced to 20 Months for Accepting Luxury Gifts – Emphasizes the swift conclusion of the trial, acquittal of other charges, and places Kim’s sentence alongside Yoon Suk Yeol’s five‑year term .
Timeline
2010‑12 – Prosecutors allege Kim Keon Hee conspires with a former Deutsch Motors executive to manipulate stock prices for about 810 million won, a scheme the court later fails to prove and dismisses as part of her case [1].
April 2022 – Kim receives a second Chanel bag from a Unification Church official, but judges rule it is not a bribe because no explicit request for favors accompanies the gift [1].
July 2022 – Kim accepts a Chanel handbag and a Graff necklace worth roughly 80 million won; the court later classifies these luxury items as bribery because they are linked to a request for business favors [1].
2024 – Former President Yoon Suk Yeol attempts a martial‑law insurrection, an action that later results in a five‑year prison sentence and underscores a broader crackdown on the former administration [1].
August 2025 – Kim remains in custody after being detained in August, marking the start of a high‑profile corruption trial that draws intense public and media scrutiny [2].
Jan 28, 2026 – Seoul Central District Court sentences Kim Keon Hee to 20 months in prison and orders forfeiture of 12.8 million won, while acquitting her of stock‑price manipulation and Political Funds Act violations; the ruling makes her and Yoon the first former presidential couple to serve jail time in South Korea [1][2].
Jan 28, 2026 – Special counsel Min Joong‑ki’s team declares the verdict “difficult to accept” and announces plans to appeal, while Kim’s lawyers deem the term “relatively high” and consider further legal steps [1].
2026 (later) – Anticipated appellate proceedings are expected to extend the legal battle, with both prosecution and defense preparing arguments for higher courts [1].