Luxury Gifts and a Bribery Conviction: South Korea’s Former First Lady Sentenced to 1 Year, 8 Months

Kim Keon Hee, the former first lady of South Korea and wife of ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol, was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison after a Seoul court found her guilty of accepting bribes from the Unification Church. The ruling covers one of three separate criminal trials Kim faces; both prosecutors and Kim’s legal team retain the right to appeal.

Verdict and Sentence

The court concluded that Kim accepted luxury gifts tied to her public status, including a Chanel handbag and a Graff diamond necklace, which judges classified as bribes. At the same time, she was acquitted of other allegations—most notably stock manipulation and conspiring with her husband to obtain free opinion polls—because of insufficient evidence or expired statutes of limitation. Prosecutors had earlier estimated the combined value of the contested stocks, gifts and polls at 1.15 billion Korean won (roughly $813,000).

What the Court Said

"[She] misused her status as a means of pursuing profit ... The defendant was unable to refuse the expensive luxury items provided in connection with special favor, and was thirsty to receive and decorate herself with them,"

—Seoul District Court Judge Woo In-seong

Judge Woo also noted mitigating points, saying Kim did not solicit the gifts, did not relay requests from the Unification Church to her husband, and is "self-reflecting" on her conduct.

Evidence and High-Profile Incidents

The allegations and public outrage were fueled in part by a secretly recorded video released in late 2023 showing a Korean‑American pastor presenting Kim with a Christian Dior bag after Yoon’s election. Under South Korea’s anti-graft law, public officials and their spouses may not accept gifts related to official duties valued above about $750—an element that intensified the scandal.

Kim arrives at the special prosecutor's office in Seoul, South Korea, on August 6, 2025. - Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters

Background and Broader Probes

Kim’s legal troubles extend beyond the bribery conviction. She has faced long-running accusations of manipulating stock trades tied to Deutsch Motors (a BMW dealership) dating to 2010–2012. Academic integrity issues also followed her: Sookmyung Women’s University revoked her master’s degree amid plagiarism allegations, and Kookmin University later rescinded her doctorate after Sookmyung’s decision.

Political Fallout and Related Cases

The ruling deepens a sweeping political crisis that has already ensnared her husband. Yoon Suk Yeol has faced multiple criminal trials, has been removed from office, and received a five-year sentence earlier this month for actions tied to his declaration of martial law; he still faces additional indictments. The Unification Church’s leader is also on trial over the alleged bribes.

Investigation Details

A special counsel that probed Kim for 180 days had sought up to 15 years in prison across the full slate of accusations. The special counsel’s report described extensive influence-peddling claims and alleged intervention in personnel appointments and nominations.

Why This Matters

The case underscores a broader debate in South Korea about the intersection of wealth, religious influence and political power. It also marks a historic moment: this is the first time in South Korean history that a former presidential couple has been jailed at the same time.