South Korea Ex-First Lady Sentenced To Four Years, Plans Appeal

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

SEOUL (Worthy News) – South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon Hee was sentenced Tuesday to four years in prison for stock manipulation and bribery, with her legal team saying she will appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court.

An appeals court found that Kim took part in manipulating the price of a thinly traded stock alongside multiple traders, overturning a lower court decision that had cleared her of that charge.

Judges also ruled that she accepted luxury gifts—including two Chanel bags and a Graff necklace worth about 80 million won (roughly $54,000)—from the Unification Church while aware it expected political favors in return.

“Kim exerted her influence as first lady and committed the bribery,” the presiding judge said, adding that her actions damaged public trust and deepened divisions over national affairs.

COURT: TRUST DAMAGED

The court imposed a fine of 70 million won and ordered the confiscation of the necklace.

Kim, the wife of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, had previously been sentenced to 20 months in January on bribery charges, while being acquitted of other allegations.

The appellate court upheld her acquittal on charges related to election law violations, but expanded her conviction to include stock manipulation.

Kim has denied wrongdoing, and her lawyers confirmed she would challenge Tuesday’s decision at the Supreme Court.

APPEAL TO SUPREME COURT

The case is part of a broader series of legal proceedings linked to Yoon, who was removed from office and later sentenced to life in prison over his role in imposing martial law in 2024.

Several former officials, including ex-Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, have also faced prison sentences in connection with the scandal.

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