South Korea’s Former First Lady Kim Keon‑hee Jailed 20 Months for Bribery

South Korea’s former first lady, Kim Keon‑hee, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for accepting bribes linked to the Unification Church, marking a historic conviction in the country’s political history

The Seoul Central District Court found Kim, 52, guilty of exploiting her status for personal gain, receiving luxury gifts and favors worth approximately 80 million won (about $60,000). Items included a diamond necklace and designer Chanel handbags, offered in exchange for political and business influence. Prosecutors had initially sought a 15-year sentence, but the court cited her lack of prior criminal history and the fact that she did not actively solicit the bribes in reducing the sentence In addition to imprisonment, Kim has been ordered to repay 12.85 million won, and the diamond necklace has been confiscated The conviction comes as her husband, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, is already serving five years in prison for abuse of power and obstruction of justice, making this the first time both members of a former presidential couple have been imprisoned in South Korea. Kim also faces further charges related to recruiting Unification Church members into the conservative People Power Party The case has intensified scrutiny over the Unification Church’s role in South Korean politics and raised broader questions about corruption and accountability among the nation’s political elite. While some praise the verdict as a step toward justice, critics argue that the sentence was relatively lenient given the scale of the alleged bribery.