Kim Keon-hee

Kim Keon-hee, the spouse of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, has been convicted and imprisoned for multiple criminal offenses involving bribery and stock manipulation. As of April 28, 2026, she is serving a four-year prison sentence. Her legal history includes: Deutsch Motors Stock Manipulation: Initially acquitted by the Seoul Central District Court in January 2026, this ruling was overturned by the Seoul High Court on April 28, 2026. The appellate court found her an active participant in a scheme that generated 810 million won in illicit profits between 2010 and 2012, sentencing her to four years in prison. Unification Church Bribery: Kim was convicted of accepting luxury gifts, including two Chanel handbags, a Graff diamond necklace, and ginseng extract, from Unification Church officials in exchange for policy favors. The appellate court upheld these bribery charges and ordered the confiscation of her jewelry. Influence Peddling: In a separate trial, she was sentenced to seven years in prison for peddling influence, specifically accepting over 103 million won in luxury jewelry from a construction executive in exchange for government appointments, as well as receiving a gold turtle and art replica for influencing the appointment of the National Education Commission chair. Political Funding Act: Courts have consistently acquitted Kim of charges related to receiving free political opinion polling data, citing insufficient evidence linking the services to illicit political favors. Additional investigations, including allegations regarding expressway projects and apartment construction, were part of a broader special counsel inquiry that resulted in a total of nine criminal charges against her.