SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – An appeals court in South Korea has increased the prison sentence for Kim Keon Hee, the wife of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, to four years due to corruption charges. This decision, announced about two months after Yoon was sentenced to life in prison for rebellion, reflects the growing legal troubles facing the former presidential couple.
Initially sentenced to 20 months in prison in January by a district court, Kim was found guilty of receiving extravagant gifts, including a Graff diamond necklace and a Chanel bag from the Unification Church, in exchange for political favors. While she was acquitted of stock price manipulation before her tenure as first lady, her case was subject to an appeal that ultimately led to the current ruling.
The Seoul High Court determined on Tuesday that Kim had further compromised her integrity by accepting an additional Chanel bag from the Unification Church, thus convicting her of the previous charges alongside the new ones. This extension of her prison term underscores the court's view of her role as first lady, suggesting that she should have upheld public expectations of probity and not leveraged her position for personal gain.
The couple has experienced a dramatic fall from grace following Yoon's controversial declaration of martial law in December 2024, which resulted in his impeachment and subsequent removal from office. As investigations into Yoon's actions continue, he faces numerous criminal trials linked to his martial law decisions and related scandals. Importantly, investigators have stated that Kim was not involved in her husband's enforcement of martial law.
The appeals court emphasized the significant influence that a first lady can have on a president, stressing that Kim's actions have not only tarnished her reputation but have also impacted her husband's standing. Both Kim and the independent counsel now have one week to appeal to the Supreme Court, South Korea's highest judicial body. The independent counsel, Min Joong-ki, has sought a more substantial sentence of 15 years, while Kim's legal team contends that the investigation into her actions was politically motivated.
Since her arrest in August 2025, when a warrant was issued due to concerns she might destroy evidence, Kim has been incarcerated. Her involvement in several scandals has significantly damaged her husband's approval ratings and provided ammunition for political opponents during his tumultuous presidency.
Yoon Suk Yeol's presidency took a turn for the worse after he declared martial law in December 2024, claiming it was necessary to eliminate "anti-state forces" and "North Korea sympathizers." This controversial declaration motivated him to send troops and police officers to the National Assembly in an attempt to solidify his power. In February, the Seoul Central District Court found him guilty of rebellion for illegally mobilizing military and police to seize the Assembly, to arrest political adversaries, and to establish unchecked authority for an indefinite period.
As the legal battles unfold, the ramifications for both Yoon and Kim continue to develop, highlighting a period of significant political instability and legal scrutiny in South Korea.
