On January 28, 2026, the Seoul Central District Court in South Korea sentenced former First Lady Kim Keon Hee to 20 months in prison. She was convicted of receiving bribes from the Unification Church in return for political favors. Prosecutors had originally asked for a 15-year sentence and a fine of 2.9 billion won (about $2 million).
Kim, the wife of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, faced several charges, including bribery, stock manipulation, and violations of political finance laws. The court determined there was not enough evidence to find her guilty of the stock manipulation and political funds charges. Her bribery conviction centered on lavish gifts she accepted, such as a Graff diamond necklace and a Chanel handbag, provided by Unification Church officials.
The ruling from the Seoul Central District Court has drawn widespread public attention throughout South Korea.
Kim maintained her innocence during the proceedings. Through her attorneys, she said she would “humbly accept” the court’s ruling and apologized for causing concern. Her lawyer, Choi Ji-woo, has indicated they may appeal. Meanwhile, independent counsel Min Joong-ki, who brought the case forward, stated he will also appeal, pushing again for the originally requested 15-year sentence.
Kim has been detained since August 2025, after the court approved an arrest warrant. The judge allowed pretrial detention due to concerns that she might attempt to destroy evidence. Prosecutors alleged that Kim accepted gifts valued at no less than $200,000, including two Chanel handbags, beyond the luxury items formally cited in the bribery conviction.
Han Hak-ja, who is also on trial for related bribery accusations, was tied to the case as well. The Unification Church denied that the gifts were given in exchange for political influence, saying the items were offered freely. Prosecutors countered that the high-end gifts were intended to secure political benefits and strengthen the Church’s access to the presidential administration.
This case is one chapter in the larger collapse of South Korea’s former presidential couple. President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in December 2024, triggering a national crisis that resulted in his impeachment and removal. He now faces rebellion charges and is involved in multiple trials linked to the martial law period.
Yoon has already been sentenced to five years in prison for hindering his own arrest after issuing the martial law order. Prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty for his rebellion charges, making it one of the most serious legal actions ever taken against a former South Korean president. Investigators concluded that Kim did not participate in Yoon’s enforcement of martial law.
Kim had been embroiled in controversy before. In 2023, hidden camera footage appeared to show her accepting a $2,200 Dior handbag, which became known as the “Dior bag scandal.” The incident damaged President Yoon’s approval ratings and provided sustained ammunition for his political opponents.
Together, these scandals placed intense pressure on the Yoon administration leading up to the martial law crisis.
Some analysts initially speculated that Yoon’s drastic choice to declare martial law might have been an effort to shield his wife from prosecution. However, a detailed investigation conducted by independent counsel Cho Eun-suk found no evidence that the decision was motivated by attempts to protect Kim.
The ruling against Kim comes just as the court prepares to deliver its decision in Yoon’s rebellion trial. The outcome could include the death penalty, as requested by prosecutors. The serious charges facing both Kim and Yoon highlight the scale of the legal and political turmoil engulfing South Korea’s former first family.
Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years in prison for helping facilitate the martial law declaration. His lengthy sentence reflects the judiciary’s strict approach toward those connected to the constitutional crisis of December 2024. The wave of major convictions has reshaped South Korean politics and emphasized the nation’s resolve to hold powerful leaders accountable.
Both the prosecution and the defense can appeal, meaning Kim’s legal fight will likely continue for many months or even years in the appellate courts. As both sides have expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of the ruling, further appeals appear inevitable. The case has captivated South Koreans, symbolizing the dramatic downfall of a couple who once occupied the country’s highest office.
Kim was in the courtroom at the Seoul Central District Court when the verdict was read. The scene contrasted sharply with her former role as first lady, when she regularly represented South Korea at official and diplomatic engagements. Now, both she and her husband are held in separate detention facilities, awaiting the outcomes of multiple criminal cases that will determine their futures.