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Kim Keon Hee, wife of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison on Wednesday for accepting bribes from the Unification Church. The court found her guilty of receiving luxury items including a Chanel bag and a Graff diamond necklace.

Kim Keon Hee, wife of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison on Wednesday for accepting bribes from the Unification Church. The court found her guilty of receiving luxury items including a Chanel bag and a Graff diamond necklace.

The Seoul Central District Court acquitted Kim of stock price manipulation charges and violations of the Political Funds Act, citing insufficient evidence. Prosecutors had sought a 15-year prison term and estimated the total value of stocks, bribes and polls at approximately $813,000.

The Seoul Central District Court acquitted Kim of stock price manipulation charges and violations of the Political Funds Act, citing insufficient evidence. Prosecutors had sought a 15-year prison term and estimated the total value of stocks, bribes and polls at approximately $813,000.

Judge Woo In-seong stated that Kim "misused her status as a means of pursuing profit" and was "thirsty to receive and decorate herself" with expensive luxury items. The judge noted Kim had not asked for the gifts and did not relay requests from the church to her husband.

Judge Woo In-seong stated that Kim "misused her status as a means of pursuing profit" and was "thirsty to receive and decorate herself" with expensive luxury items. The judge noted Kim had not asked for the gifts and did not relay requests from the church to her husband.

Kim faced allegations of stock manipulation related to Deutsch Motors between 2010 and 2012, with prosecutors claiming she earned unfair profits. She also faced persistent allegations of academic plagiarism, resulting in two universities revoking her graduate degrees.

Kim faced allegations of stock manipulation related to Deutsch Motors between 2010 and 2012, with prosecutors claiming she earned unfair profits. She also faced persistent allegations of academic plagiarism, resulting in two universities revoking her graduate degrees.

Both prosecutors and Kim's legal team announced plans to appeal the ruling. Special counsel Min Joong-ki said the verdict was "difficult to accept," while Kim's lawyers stated the sentence for bribery charges was "relatively high" and they would consider an appeal.

Both prosecutors and Kim's legal team announced plans to appeal the ruling. Special counsel Min Joong-ki said the verdict was "difficult to accept," while Kim's lawyers stated the sentence for bribery charges was "relatively high" and they would consider an appeal.

The conviction marks the first time in South Korean history that a former presidential couple has been jailed simultaneously. Yoon Suk Yeol was previously sentenced to five years in prison for charges related to his martial law decree in December 2024.

The conviction marks the first time in South Korean history that a former presidential couple has been jailed simultaneously. Yoon Suk Yeol was previously sentenced to five years in prison for charges related to his martial law decree in December 2024.

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