A South Korean appeals court has reduced former First Lady Kim Keon Hee’s prison sentence from seven years to five after partially overturning her conviction in a bribery case.
The Seoul High Court ruled on Tuesday, September 22, acquitting Kim of some of the charges brought against her while upholding convictions on others. Kim is the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Kim had been convicted by a lower court on charges involving the acceptance of expensive gifts and other valuables allegedly linked to requests for political or government appointments.
The charges included receiving jewellery worth more than 100 million won (about US$72,800) from a construction company chairman between March and May 2022 in connection with a government appointment for his son-in-law.
She was also accused of receiving a golden turtle ornament and a replica Joseon-era painting, a Dior handbag from a pastor and a Vacheron Constantin watch from another businessperson. Another charge concerned a painting by artist Lee Ufan allegedly connected to assistance with an election nomination.
The appeals court acquitted Kim on the charges involving the luxury watch and replica painting but upheld the remaining convictions.
It also ordered the confiscation of the gifts and reduced the amount to be forfeited from 64.8 million won under the lower court ruling to 24.4 million won.
The ruling follows the political upheaval surrounding Yoon, who was removed from office after his failed December 2024 martial law declaration.
Kim’s legal team has indicated that it intends to challenge the appellate ruling at South Korea’s Supreme Court.