Ex-first lady of South Korea sentenced to 20 months in jail over corruption charges

Kim Keon Hee, the former first lady of South Africa, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison by the Seoul Central District Court for bribery and stock manipulation, according to reports. 

She allegedly took luxury gifts from the Unification Church. These gifts were worth about 370 million Won (~$2,58,000). The gifts included a costly painting. In return, she allegedly gave political favors. These included job nominations and appointments. Prosecutors wanted a tough punishment, asking for 15 years in prison.

In 2023, there was also secretly filmed footage that appeared that showed her accepting a $2,200 luxury handbag, an episode that became known as the “Dior bag scandal”. They also wanted fines of 2.9 billion won. But the court gave a lighter sentence.The court cleared her on other charges. These were stock manipulation and breaking political funds rules.

This happened after her husband Yoon Suk Yeol's troubles. He too faced repeated allegations of corruption, influence peddling and academic fraud. He was impeached and removed from office. That was in April 2025. It followed his failed martial law trial in 2024. Yoon got five years in jail too. 

He was charged for blocking justice and misusing power. He is appealing that sentence. He faces even bigger charges now. These could lead to the death penalty. Many supporters of Yoon and Kim are upset. They protest the cases. They call them political attacks.