South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon Hee has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after a court found she accepted luxury gifts, including a Chanel bag and a Graff diamond necklace, in exchange for political favours. The verdict marks one of the most serious criminal convictions ever handed to a presidential spouse in South Korea and underscores the country’s hard line on corruption involving those close to power. Judges said Kim abused her privileged position for personal benefit, eroding public trust during a period of political instability.
The luxury gifts that became criminal evidence
At the centre of the case were high-end items prosecutors said were given to Kim by figures linked to the Unification Church. The Seoul Central District Court ruled that the Chanel bag and diamond necklace could not be dismissed as social gifts, concluding they were provided with the expectation of political influence. In addition to the prison sentence, Kim was fined 12.8 million won and ordered to surrender the necklace. The court said public figures connected to state power must be held to a higher ethical standard.While Kim was convicted of bribery, the court acquitted her of other serious allegations, including stock price manipulation and violations of political funding laws, citing insufficient evidence. Prosecutors had sought a 15-year prison term across all charges, arguing that Kim’s conduct formed part of a broader pattern of influence peddling. The mixed verdict has fuelled debate over whether the punishment adequately reflects the gravity of the offence or sends the wrong signal about accountability among political elites.
Political collapse and the Yoon Suk Yeol factor
The case has unfolded alongside the dramatic downfall of Kim’s husband, former president Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon was impeached and removed from office after declaring martial law in December 2024, a move parliament overturned within hours. He has since received a separate five-year prison sentence for obstructing justice and faces an additional rebellion trial that could carry life imprisonment or the death penalty. Although speculation suggested Kim’s legal troubles influenced Yoon’s actions, an independent investigation later downplayed a direct connection.
Public reaction and what comes next
Kim’s lawyers said she accepts the court’s criticism and is considering an appeal against the bribery conviction. Prosecutors are also reviewing the ruling and may challenge the length of the sentence. For many South Koreans, the case has become emblematic of the country’s recurring battles with corruption at the highest levels of government. The image of a Chanel bag presented as a bribe has emerged as a powerful symbol of excess, privilege and the legal consequences that can follow when personal luxury collides with public office.
