SEOUL — A South Korean court sentenced former first lady Kim Keon Hee to seven years in prison on Friday after convicting her of accepting luxury gifts in exchange for arranging political appointments and business favors, in a case that included allegations involving a former national education official, according to the Seoul Central District Court.
The ruling is the latest legal setback for Kim, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office in 2025 and is serving prison sentences in separate criminal cases, according to court records and prosecutors.
Prosecutors said Kim accepted expensive gifts, including jewelry, artwork and luxury goods, from businesspeople and other individuals seeking government appointments or favorable treatment. Among those convicted in the case was former National Education Commission chief Lee Bae-yong, who the court found had provided gifts while seeking her appointment to the education body, according to the court's findings.
Judge Cho Soon-pyo said the former first lady had failed to meet the standards expected of a presidential spouse. "A president's spouse must exercise the highest degree of self-restraint and vigilance," the judge said, according to the court. "Nevertheless, defendant Kim Keon Hee neglected that social responsibility and repeatedly accepted valuables by exploiting her influence as a means of brokering favors."
The court also ordered that several gifts linked to the case be confiscated where possible and imposed a financial penalty, according to the judgment. Prosecutors alleged that the gifts were connected to requests for public appointments and business assistance, allegations the court found proven beyond a reasonable doubt on the charges before it.
Kim acknowledged receiving some of the gifts but denied they were provided in exchange for official favors. Her legal team criticized the ruling, saying the court had relied on an overly broad interpretation of the evidence, and confirmed that it would appeal the conviction.
Friday's verdict follows an earlier prison sentence imposed on Kim in a separate corruption case involving allegations of bribery and stock manipulation. The latest case was handled independently and concerned different allegations relating to influence-peddling and the receipt of luxury items, according to prosecutors.
As of Saturday, Kim remained subject to multiple criminal proceedings, while the latest conviction is expected to move to the appeals process. South Korean authorities have not announced any additional charges related to Friday's ruling.
