In the case of former first lady Kim Keon Hee, prosecutors are seeking a 15-year prison sentence. In the case of former first lady Kim Keon Hee, a South Korean court will provide a decision on Wednesday. The prosecution is requesting a 15-year prison sentence for alleged stock fraud and corruption. Kim, 53, has long been the subject of controversy, and her husband Yoon Suk Yeol’s tenure in office was dominated by allegations of corruption, influence peddling, and even academic fraud.
Both are currently detained: Kim for allegedly manipulating stocks and accepting gifts from the cult-like Unification Church, and Yoon for his conduct during his disastrous declaration of martial law in December 2024 and its chaotic aftermath.
Bribery
She was also charged with collecting extravagant payments totaling more than $200,000 from politicians and corporations, including a Graff necklace and two Chanel purses from the sect’s leader. Kim “stood above the law” and conspired with the religious group to subvert “the constitutionally mandated separation of religion and state,” according to the prosecution in December.
Additionally, prosecutor Min Joong-ki claimed that Kim’s “severely undermined by abuses of power” had damaged South Korea’s institutions. Additionally, she has been charged with interfering with legislative elections.
The former first lady acknowledges her errors
In her final appearance last month, the former first lady said the accusations were “deeply unjust” and refuted all the charges. However, she has also expressed regret for “causing trouble despite being a person of no importance.”
“When I consider my role and the responsibilities entrusted to me, it seems clear that I have made many mistakes,” she stated in December. If she is found guilty of any crimes, she will be sentenced after the ruling, which is scheduled to start at 2:00 pm (0500 GMT).
Driven by controversy
Kim, a self-described animal lover who gained international recognition for her efforts to get South Korea to outlaw dog meat, sometimes eclipsed her husband’s domestic political agenda with her scandals. Yoon’s already low approval ratings were further damaged in 2023 when it appeared that Kim had accepted a $2,200 luxury handbag in what was eventually termed the “Dior bag scandal” due to hidden camera evidence.
Yoon’s party suffered a crushing defeat in general elections in April 2024 as a result of the scandal, as it was unable to regain a parliamentary majority. With the most recent veto in November 2024, Yoon vetoed three legislation supported by the opposition to look into accusations against Kim, including the Dior bag case. He imposed martial law a week later. Kim appears in court a few days after former prime minister Han Duck-soo was found guilty of aiding and abetting Yoon’s suspension of civilian rule and sentenced to 23 years in jail, eight years more than the prosecution had requested.
Political analyst Park Sang-byung told AFP, “Given what has happened to former prime minister Han, Kim is likely to receive at least 10 years in prison, even if we are talking very conservatively.”The Unification Church won’t be able to function normally when Kim’s trial is over; a special probe is probably under progress.” Han Hak-ja, the head of the Unification Church, which has 10 million adherents worldwide and controls a significant commercial empire, was also arrested as a result of the investigation into Kim. On Wednesday, a Seoul court will also sentence prominent legislator Kweon Seong-dong, who is also charged with accepting bribes from the sect.
