South Korea’s Ex-First Lady Kim Keon Hee Sentenced to 20 Months in Prison for Accepting Bribes from Unification Church

 

The court found Kim guilty of accepting luxury gifts worth approximately 80 million won (about $56,000 or £40,600) from officials linked to the controversial Unification Church (also known as the Moonies) between April and July 2022. The bribes included a high-end Graff diamond necklace, Chanel handbags, and other items, given in exchange for political and business favors during her husband Yoon Suk Yeol's presidency.

Judge Woo In-sung noted in the verdict that while Kim did not actively solicit the bribes, she exploited her influential position as first lady—a symbolic figure representing the nation alongside the president—to seek personal gains. The judge highlighted that she had no significant prior criminal record, which contributed to the relatively lenient sentence compared to prosecutors' demands.

Prosecutors from the special counsel team had sought a 15-year prison term plus fines of up to 2 billion won (around $1.4 million) across three charges: bribery, stock price manipulation involving Deutsch Motors shares, and violations of political funds laws related to receiving free opinion polls before the 2022 election. Kim was acquitted on the latter two charges due to insufficient evidence and, in one case, an expired statute of limitations.

Kim, 52, who has been in custody since August 2025 following her arrest over fears of evidence tampering, appeared in court wearing a black suit, white face mask, and glasses. She denied all allegations, describing them as "deeply unjust," though she previously admitted receiving Chanel bags, claiming she returned them unused. Her legal team expressed gratitude for the partial acquittals but called the 20-month term "relatively high" and said they would review options for appeal.

The Unification Church denied any quid pro quo, insisting the gifts were given without expectation of favors. Its leader, Han Hak-ja—who is also on trial—has rejected claims of directing bribes to Kim.

This conviction follows closely on the heels of her husband, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, being sentenced to five years in prison earlier in January 2026 for abuse of power, obstruction of justice, and related offenses tied to his failed declaration of martial law in December 2024. Yoon, impeached and removed from office in 2025, faces additional high-stakes trials—including insurrection charges that could carry the death penalty or life imprisonment—stemming from the chaotic martial law episode.

The couple's simultaneous imprisonments represent a dramatic fall from grace for the once-powerful pair. Kim's scandals, including luxury gift controversies and allegations of meddling in state affairs, often overshadowed Yoon's administration. She had campaigned publicly against issues like the dog meat trade, but her legal troubles dominated headlines.

The ruling has sparked mixed reactions: supporters of Yoon and Kim rallied outside the court in freezing weather, cheering the acquittals on other charges, while critics and the governing Democratic Party argued it signals tolerance for abuse of power. The case underscores ongoing probes into religious influence in politics and the separation of church and state in South Korea.

Kim faces at least two more trials on related bribery and political interference allegations, including claims she helped enroll thousands of Unification Church followers into Yoon's People Power Party.

As appeals loom and investigations continue, the verdicts highlight South Korea's robust accountability mechanisms—even for those at the highest levels of power.