June 26, 2026
South Korea's former First Lady Kim Keon Hee was sentenced on Friday to seven years in jail for receiving bribes, after a court found her guilty of accepting luxury items such as jewellery and a Dior handbag in exchange for political favours.
The wife of ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol - who was ousted in 2025 following his failed attempt to impose martial law - received the bribes before and during his presidency, the lead judge at the Seoul Central District Court said.
"She exercised her power as first lady to offer jobs and business favours," the judge said, citing her willingness to use her influence to help people obtain key government or parliamentary posts.
"She received without any hesitation those bribes, which ordinary people would hardly encounter during their lives."
