A court in South Korea sentenced former first lady Kim Keon Hee to 20 months in jail on Wednesday after she was found guilty of providing political favors in exchange for bribes. Among the bribes that Kim, the wife of former president Yoon Suk Yeol, accepted from Unification Church officials were luxury bags and a diamond pendant. The former first lady was cleared of additional charges related to violations of the political funds act and stock price manipulation. Prosecutors and Kim will both have opportunities to appeal the verdicts. Kim’s trial stems from a series of investigations into her and Yoon following her husband’s short-lived declaration of martial law in 2024, which led to his impeachment by the National Assembly. Earlier this month, Yoon was sentenced to a five-year jail sentence after being found guilty of multiple charges, including abuse of power and obstruction of justice. He also faces a charge of insurrection, for which prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. The verdict on that case will be decided in February.
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