Former South Korean First Lady Sentenced to Seven Years Imprisonment Over Bribery

Former South Korean First Lady Sentenced for Bribes

A Seoul Central District Court has handed down a seven-year sentence to Kim Keon Hee, the former First Lady of South Korea. The court found her guilty of accepting bribes during and after her husband President Yoon Suk Yeol’s time in office.

According to the court, Kim received luxury items, including jewellery worth over 100 million won, in exchange for political favours. These included a government job for the son-in-law of a construction company owner and favours related to public officials’ duties. Additionally, she was given a Dior handbag and other gifts by a pastor.

The court also found that Kim received a painting by renowned artist Lee Ufan from a former prosecutor and a golden turtle ornament from the former head of the National Education Commission in exchange for being appointed to her position.

Kim had denied the charges, stating that the gifts were not bribes. Her lawyers have stated that she will appeal the sentence. The court ordered Kim to be fined 64.8 million won ($42,000) and confiscate the items she received.

This conviction is not related to a previous case in which Kim was sentenced to four years in jail for stock manipulation and taking bribes from South Korea’s Unification Church. Her husband Yoon Suk Yeol is currently serving a life sentence for sending military drones into North Korea.

Source: Al Jazeera