The Former First Lady of South Korea Was Imprisoned for 20 Months for Accepting Bribes
A South Korean court on Wednesday sentenced former first lady Kim Keon Hee to 20 months in prison for accepting expensive gifts from a cult-like religious group, while clearing her of charges related to stock manipulation and other alleged offences.
Kim, 53, has long been surrounded by controversy, with allegations of corruption, influence peddling and academic misconduct repeatedly drawing public attention during the presidency of her husband, former president Yoon Suk Yeol.
Both Kim and Yoon are now in custody. Yoon is being held over actions linked to his failed declaration of martial law in December 2024, while Kim was convicted on corruption charges. The Seoul Central District Court also sentenced Yun Young-ho, a former official of the Unification Church, to 14 months in prison. He was found guilty of giving luxury gifts to Kim and providing illegal political funds to a lawmaker.
In a related ruling, opposition lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong, a close ally of former president Yoon, was jailed for two years for receiving 100 million won, around $70,000, from the controversial religious group.
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