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Court delivers historic verdict against Kim Keon Hee
South Korea's former first lady, Kim Keon Hee, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for accepting bribes from the controversial Unification Church, a court ruled Wednesday. The decision marks the first time a presidential spouse has been convicted while in detention.
Key allegations and verdict
Prosecutors accused Kim, 52, of participating in a stock price-rigging scheme involving Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealership, between 2010 and 2012, allegedly earning over 800 million won ($552,570). She was also charged with accepting luxury Chanel handbags, a diamond necklace, and other gifts worth up to 80 million won from the Unification Church in exchange for business favors.
The court cleared her of stock manipulation and campaign finance violations but found her guilty of bribery linked to the church. Two additional cases remain pending.
Controversial gifts and legal limits
Surveillance footage emerged in late 2023 showing Kim receiving a 3 million won ($2,200) Chanel handbag from a pastor in September 2022. Under South Korean law, public officials and their spouses are prohibited from accepting gifts exceeding 1 million won at once or 3 million won annually. The presidential office confirmed receipt of the bag but stated it was stored as government property.
Kim admitted to receiving the handbags but claimed she returned them unused. Prosecutors had sought a 15-year sentence and a 2 billion won fine, arguing she exploited her position to undermine the separation of religion and state.
Pattern of scandals and past controversies
Before becoming first lady, Kim faced repeated allegations of misconduct. In 2025, Sookmyung Women's University revoked her art education degree after an ethics panel found her thesis compromised. She has not publicly addressed the plagiarism claims.
In 2019, media reported tax evasion and kickback allegations related to her art exhibition company, Covana Contents, though she was acquitted in 2023. A special counsel is re-examining the case. Ahead of the 2022 presidential election, Kim apologized for "exaggerations" on her resume after accusations of falsifying qualifications.
Broader fallout for the Yoon administration
The verdict follows her husband, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, being sentenced to five years in prison on January 16 for abuse of power and obstructing justice during his failed 2024 martial law bid. The move sparked nationwide protests and a political crisis.
"Yoon's actions plunged the country into turmoil," the judge stated, criticizing his lack of remorse.
The couple's convictions mark a historic first: South Korea has seen former presidents jailed before, but never both a president and first lady simultaneously.
