South Korea’s judicial system delivered a blow to its former first family Wednesday, as the Seoul Central District Court handed down a 20-month prison term to Kim Keon Hee, ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol’s wife, over corruption involving luxury gifts from the controversial Unification Church. The verdict, lighter than the 15 years sought by prosecutors, still cements the pair as the nation’s first convicted ex-presidential duo.
Details of the case reveal Kim accepted valuable items—a designer snail bag and high-end necklace—from a church leader, leveraging her influence for business gains. The court lambasted her abuse of position, noting she ignored the church’s desperate fundraising amid her focus on personal indulgences. A prior bag gift escaped bribery classification for want of direct request.
Acquittals came on graver accusations: colluding with a BMW dealer head and aide to rig Deutsche Motors stock prices between 2010-2012, netting 810 million won illicitly, and breaching political funding laws. The bench couldn’t conclusively prove her active role despite suspicions. Free opinion polls from power brokers were dismissed as non-financial benefits.
Kim has rejected the charges while detained since last August. Her husband’s martial law fiasco earned him five years, amid further investigations. The 12.8 million won forfeiture adds to her penalties.
Reactions poured in swiftly: special counsel Min Jeong-ki’s office plans appeals, unsatisfied with the mild punishment, as Kim’s lawyers ponder counter-moves, arguing disproportionality. This saga not only tarnishes legacies but ignites debates on accountability for those once at the pinnacle of power in Seoul.
