Archive · 30 Jan 2026
South Korea Appeals Ruling on Ex-First Lady's Corruption Case
The special counsel in South Korea is appealing a court decision about the former first lady, Kim Keon Hee.
She was given a 20-month prison sentence for accepting expensive gifts in exchange for helping with business deals.
However, the court said she was not guilty of other serious charges, like manipulating stock prices.
The special counsel thinks the court made mistakes and the punishment was too light.
They wanted a much longer prison sentence and bigger fines.
The gifts she received included a fancy Chanel bag and a high-end necklace.
The court said she might have known about the stock manipulation scheme but couldn't prove she was involved.
The special counsel is now asking for a different decision.
Special counsel appealed the court ruling on Kim Keon Hee's corruption case, calling it too lenient.
Kim was sentenced to 20 months in prison for accepting luxury gifts in exchange for business favors.
The court acquitted her of stock price manipulation and violating the Political Funds Act.
Special counsel requested a 15-year prison term, 2 billion won fine, and 948 million won forfeiture.
Kim received a Chanel bag and Graff necklace from a Unification Church official in July 2022.
- Who
- Kim Keon Hee, former first lady of South Korea
- What
- Appeal of a court ruling in a corruption case
- When
- Friday (after the sentencing on Wednesday)
- Where
- Seoul, South Korea
- Why
- Special counsel believes the court misapprehended facts and the sentence was too lenient
- Defendant
- Kim Keon Hee
- Sentence
- 20 months in prison
- Forfeiture Amount
- 12.8 million won (USD 9,000)
- Requested Sentence
- 15-year prison term
- Requested Fine
- 2 billion won
- Requested Forfeiture
- 948 million won
- Gifts Received
- Chanel bag and Graff necklace
- Date of Gifts
- July 2022