KR·South Korea
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LINKED SCANDALS
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LEGAL EVENTS
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RESEARCH
4 days ago
SANCTIONS
CLEAR
Deep research · Exaupdated 4 days ago
Kim Keon Hee, the former first lady of South Korea, is currently serving a four-year prison sentence following a series of corruption and bribery convictions.
On January 28, 2026, the Seoul Central District Court initially sentenced her to 20 months in prison for accepting luxury gifts, including a Chanel bag and a Graff diamond necklace, from Unification Church officials in exchange for influence. She was acquitted at that time of stock manipulation and political funding violations.
On April 28, 2026, the Seoul High Court increased her sentence to four years. This ruling overturned the previous acquittal, finding her guilty of participating in a stock price manipulation scheme involving Deutsch Motors between 2010 and 2012, which generated roughly 810 million won in illegal profits. The appellate court also upheld her conviction for bribery regarding gifts from the Unification Church. However, the court maintained her acquittal regarding allegations of receiving free opinion poll data from a political broker, citing insufficient evidence of criminal intent.
In addition to these convictions, she faces ongoing investigations and indictments involving nine separate criminal charges, including allegations of political meddling and receiving illicit valuables from various business and political figures. She has been in custody since her arrest on August 12, 2025.
Citations
(3rd LD) Appeals court increases sentence for ex-first lady to 4 years for corruption | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · 2026-04-28
Former first lady given four-year sentence for stock manipulation, bribery in appeals ruling
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com · 2026-04-28
(4th LD) Ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee sentenced to 20 months in prison in corruption trial | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · 2026-01-28
Kim Keon Hee
en.wikipedia.org
Ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee sentenced to 20 months in prison for accepting bribes
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com · 2026-01-28
Ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee indicted on nine criminal charges
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com · 2025-12-29
(3rd LD) Special counsel indicts ex-first lady on corruption charges | Yonhap News Agency
en.yna.co.kr · 2025-08-29
South Korea: Mysterious former first lady Kim Keon-hee faces multiple allegations of impropriety | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
www3.nhk.or.jp · 2025-08-06
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