Ms. Kim Keon Hee is the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol - who is being tried for rebellion related to martial law in 2024.
The Seoul Central District Court on January 28 ruled that Ms. Kim Keon Hee committed the crime of receiving luxury items, such as Chanel bags and Graff necklaces from the United Church. This organization gave her luxury gifts to receive favor in business.
The group of special prosecutor Min Joong Ki has requested a 15-year prison sentence for Ms. Kim Keon Hee.
However, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Kim Keon Hee to a much shorter sentence, acquitting her of charges related to a plan to manipulate stock prices and violate the Political Fund Law.
The court also ordered the confiscation of 12.8 million won (8,988 USD) from Ms. Kim Keon Hee.
With the ruling announced on January 28, Ms. Kim Keon Hee and her husband became the first former president couple of South Korea to go to jail for criminal offenses.
Ms. Kim Keon Hee has been detained since August 2025. Meanwhile, former President Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to 5 years in prison for crimes related to efforts to establish martial law in 2024. He is also being tried for many other crimes, including leading the uprising through martial law decrees.
