The Seoul Central District Court has sentenced Kim Keon Hee, former first lady of South Korea, to seven years in prison after finding her guilty of corruption and abuse of influence. The ruling, issued on June 26 (local time), concludes that he accepted expensive luxury gifts in exchange for using his influence to secure favors in appointments and business-related matters.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the court ruled that Kim Keon Hee received luxury items worth about 300 million won (about $195,000) in exchange for using her personal influence in various business deals.
The judge said Kim used her position as First Lady to interfere in business-related appointments and decisions. “Kim Keon Hee used her power as First Lady to secure jobs and business favors,” the court said. The ruling also noted that she assisted individuals in obtaining important government and parliamentary positions.
The court revealed a detailed list of luxury items allegedly received by Kim, including the Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, Tiffany brooch, Graff earrings, gold turtle statuette, Dior bag, Vacheron Constantin watch (worth 39 million won / ~$25,000 USD), and a painting worth 140 million won. Prosecutors had initially sought a 7.5-year prison sentence, arguing he had repeatedly used his position for personal gain.
Kim Keon Hee’s legal team argued that she did not accept the gifts or that they were not directly linked to any political favors. However, the court rejected these claims, saying that the evidence showed that she had repeatedly accepted luxury items while using her influence in exchange, violating the ethical responsibilities associated with her position as First Lady.
Kim Keon Hee is currently in custody, as she was also convicted in separate cases involving stock manipulation and alleged corruption linked to the Unification Church in South Korea. She was previously sentenced to four years in prison in April, and the latest sentence adds to her ongoing legal troubles.
Sources: VNN
