South Korea Sentences Ex‑First Lady and Lawmaker Amid Record Chip Profits and Investment Drive
Updated (3 articles)
Ex‑First Lady Kim Keon Hee Receives 20‑Month Sentence The Seoul court sentenced Kim Keon Hee, wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, to 20 months in prison for accepting luxury gifts from the Unification Church in exchange for business favors [1]. Prosecutors had sought a 15‑year term, highlighting the case’s severity [1]. Yoon Suk Yeol currently faces an insurrection trial over a 2024 martial‑law bid [1].
Opposition Lawmaker Kweon Seong‑dong Sentenced for Church Donations Seoul court handed opposition lawmaker Kweon Seong‑dong a two‑year prison term for receiving a 100 million‑won donation from a former Unification Church official in January 2022 [1]. Prosecutors requested a four‑year sentence, underscoring the judiciary’s tough stance on church‑linked corruption [1]. The conviction adds to a series of recent cases involving the Unification Church [1].
SK Hynix Reports Record 2025 Operating Profit SK Hynix disclosed an operating profit of 47.2 trillion won (US$33.1 billion) for 2025, more than double its 2024 figure [1]. The surge stems from strong demand for high‑bandwidth memory used in artificial‑intelligence applications [1]. The profit data appeared in a regulatory filing released on January 28, 2026 [1].
President Lee Jae Myung Calls Korea Undervalued Investment Destination At a Cheong Wa Dae roundtable with seven foreign chambers, including AMCHAM, President Lee Jae Myung described the Korean market as “undervalued” and pledged to boost its investment appeal [1]. He said South Korea will become one of the world’s most promising investment destinations, addressing senior executives of major foreign‑invested firms [1]. The remarks aim to attract new capital amid the country’s economic challenges [1].
KOSPI Rises Near 5,200 as Chip and Battery Stocks Surge The KOSPI climbed 85.96 points, or 1.69 percent, to 5,170.81 on Wednesday, driven by semiconductor and battery makers [1]. Gains in chip and battery stocks lifted the index toward the 5,200 level [1]. The Korean won also appreciated sharply against the U.S. dollar [1].
UNC Criticizes Proposed Civilian DMZ Access Bills United Nations Command officials warned that new legislation allowing civilian control of non‑military entry to the Demilitarized Zone conflicts with the armistice agreement [1]. Lawmakers aim to let the South Korean government regulate civilian access, but the UNC called the bills “completely at odds” with cease‑fire terms [1]. The opposition reflects ongoing tension over DMZ governance [1].
Timeline
Jan 2025 – South Korea’s National Assembly impeaches President Yoon Suk‑yeol, ending his term and ushering in Lee Jae Myung’s administration, which signals a shift toward technocratic governance and a new constitutional era [2].
2025 (mid‑year) – Parliament passes legislation dismantling the 78‑year‑old State Prosecutors’ Office, separating investigative and prosecutorial powers and redistributing authority across multiple state agencies [2].
2025 (mid‑year) – The KOSPI index breaches the 4,000‑point threshold as investors anticipate AI‑chip strategy gains and governance reforms, lifting market risk‑premium expectations [2].
2025 (mid‑year) – Seoul secures a central role in the global AI economy by anchoring high‑bandwidth memory and logic‑chip supply chains, negotiating a 15 % tariff ceiling with the United States while maintaining semiconductor ties with China at the APEC summit [2].
Dec 4, 2025 – Special counsel seeks a 15‑year prison term and a 2 billion‑won fine for former first lady Kim Hye‑jeong on corruption charges, intensifying scrutiny of the Yoon family’s alleged graft [3].
Dec 4, 2025 – The Seoul High Court rejects an arrest warrant for ruling‑party lawmaker Lee Jae‑won, citing insufficient evidence of involvement in a 2020 martial‑law‑era incident [3].
Dec 4, 2025 – South Korea’s third‑quarter GDP expands 1.3 %, the strongest quarterly growth in 45 months, reflecting resilience amid global headwinds [3].
Dec 4, 2025 – Samsung Electronics announces it will begin mass production of HBM4 high‑bandwidth memory chips, a key component for AI and high‑performance computing [3].
Dec 4, 2025 – President Yoon’s aide Lee pledges an apology for the 2024 campaign‑time drone dispatches to North Korea, acknowledging diplomatic fallout [3].
Dec 4, 2025 – The National Assembly prepares to vote on establishing a special insurrection tribunal to address the 1970s martial‑law crisis, signaling a move to legally confront historic authoritarian abuses [3].
Dec 30, 2025 – Analysts warn that despite economic gains, South Korea’s social fabric remains strained: fertility stays near 0.8, wealth concentration widens, and high‑profile incidents such as the Jeju Air disaster inquiry and data breaches at Coupang and SK Telecom expose oversight gaps [2].
Jan 28, 2026 – A Seoul court sentences ex‑first lady Kim Keon Hee to 20 months in prison for taking luxury gifts from the Unification Church in exchange for business favors, a conviction that underscores the administration’s anti‑corruption drive [1].
Jan 28, 2026 – The court also hands opposition lawmaker Kweon Seong‑dong a two‑year prison term for receiving 100 million won in Unification Church‑linked donations, adding to a series of high‑profile graft cases [1].
Jan 28, 2026 – SK hynix reports a record 2025 operating profit of 47.2 trillion won (US$33.1 billion), more than double the previous year, driven by soaring demand for AI‑focused high‑bandwidth memory [1].
Jan 28, 2026 – President Lee Jae Myung tells foreign‑business leaders that the Korean market is “undervalued” and will become “one of the world’s most promising investment destinations,” aiming to attract senior executives of major multinational firms [1].
Jan 28, 2026 – The KOSPI climbs to 5,170.81 points, up 1.69 %, as semiconductor and battery stocks rally and the won strengthens sharply against the U.S. dollar [1].
Jan 28, 2026 – United Nations Command declares recent bills that would let South Korea regulate civilian entry to the Demilitarized Zone “completely at odds” with the 1953 armistice, warning they conflict with cease‑fire terms [1].