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South Korean court extends prison sentence for wife of ousted president
TL;DR
A South Korean appeals court has increased Kim Keon Hee's prison sentence to four years for corruption related to gifts received from the Unification Church. This decision follows her husband Yoon Suk Yeol's life sentence for rebellion.
Key points
- Kim Keon Hee's prison sentence increased to four years
- Originally sentenced to 20 months for corruption
- Involved gifts from the Unification Church
- Husband Yoon Suk Yeol sentenced to life for rebellion
- Acquitted of stock price manipulation charges
Mentioned in this story
Kim Keon HeeYoon Suk YeolUnification Church
An image of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee is seen during a rally by supporters outside of the Seoul High Court in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The letters read "Not Guilty." Ahn Young-joon/AP/AP
Ahn Young-joon/AP/AP
SEOUL, South Korea — An appeals court has increased to four years the sentence for the wife of South Korea's ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol for corruption, weeks after her husband was sentenced to life in prison for rebellion.
In January, ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee was sentenced to 20 months in prison in a district court for receiving gifts including a Graff diamond necklace and a Chanel bag from the Unification Church, which sought political favors from the government. However, she was acquitted of involvement in a stock price manipulation scheme before she became first lady.
Both parties appealed. On Tuesday, the Seoul High Court convicted her of receiving another Chanel bag from the church and on the price manipulation charge.
The couple suffered a fall from grace after Yoon's martial law imposition in December 2024 led to his impeachment and eventual removal from office. Yoon faces a slew of criminal trials related to his martial law debacle and other scandals. Investigators say Kim was not involved in Yoon's martial law enforcement.
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The Seoul High Court said a first lady, being closest to a president, represents the country together with her husband and has a big influence on him. It said Kim failed to meet public expectations for her integrity and exploited her high-profile status to get the gifts from the Unification Church.
Q&A
What was Kim Keon Hee's original prison sentence before the appeal?
Kim Keon Hee was originally sentenced to 20 months in prison before the appeals court increased her sentence.
What corruption charges did Kim Keon Hee face?
Kim Keon Hee faced charges for receiving gifts, including a Graff diamond necklace and a Chanel bag, from the Unification Church in exchange for political favors.
What is the current status of Yoon Suk Yeol's legal situation?
Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim Keon Hee's husband, was sentenced to life in prison for rebellion, which occurred weeks before the appeals court's decision on his wife's case.
