A South Korean court on Wednesday sentenced former first lady Kim Keon Hee to 20 months in prison for accepting lavish gifts from the cult-like Unification Church, though she was acquitted of stock manipulation and other charges.
Judge Woo In-sung of the Seoul Central District Court said Kim abused her position close to the presidency to pursue personal gain, stating, “One’s position must never become a means of pursuing private gain.” Prosecutors had sought a 15-year sentence, but Kim received a far lighter punishment.
Kim, 53, was found to have accepted luxury items including a Chanel bag and a Graff necklace from the Unification Church. She later apologized for “the concern” her actions may have caused and said she accepted the court’s stern criticism. Her lawyers noted that she has not yet decided whether to appeal.
The sentencing comes amid ongoing legal troubles for Kim and her husband, President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is currently in custody over his controversial declaration of martial law in December 2024. Kim still faces two additional trials for bribery and violations of the Political Parties Act, including allegedly arranging the mass enrollment of over 2,400 Unification Church followers into Yoon’s People Power Party.
The bribery scandal has long cast a shadow over Kim and Yoon’s administration. In 2023, footage allegedly showing her accepting a $2,200 luxury handbag, later called the “Dior bag scandal,” contributed to the ruling party’s failure to regain a parliamentary majority in April 2024.
Other convictions linked to the case include; Yun Young-ho, a former Unification Church official, sentenced to 14 months for providing luxury gifts to Kim and illegal political funds to a lawmaker.
Kweon Seong-dong, opposition lawmaker, jailed two years for receiving 100 million won (~$70,000) from the sect.
Prosecutors described the ruling as “hard to accept” and confirmed they plan to appeal Kim’s sentence. Analysts say the case underscores the far-reaching impact of corruption and abuse of power on South Korea’s political institutions and public trust.