Seoul court was set to announce ruling in Kim Keon Hee case — Korea Herald
The Seoul High Court in South Korea was set to announce a ruling on Tuesday in the appeal case of former first lady Kim Keon Hee. She is accused of receiving expensive gifts in exchange for facilitating appointments to positions and other favors. The hearing was scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Korea Herald reports.
First-instance court verdict
In June, a first-instance court sentenced Kim Keon Hee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, to seven years in prison. The court found her guilty of bribery through mediation and on all counts of the indictment.
Kim Keon Hee appealed the verdict, maintaining her innocence. The special prosecutor's team asked the appeals court to leave the seven-year prison term unchanged.
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Alleged incidents
According to the special prosecutor, between March and May 2022, Kim Keon Hee allegedly received jewelry worth more than 100 million won, or about $72,800, from the head of a construction company. Investigators believe the gifts were handed over in exchange for assistance in appointing his son-in-law to a government position.
The charges also concern a turtle-shaped gold ornament allegedly handed over in April 2022 by former National Education Commission chair Lee Bae-yong in exchange for help with her appointment. Other gifts mentioned include a Dior bag from a pastor that same year, a Vacheron Constantin watch from another businessman in September 2022, and a painting by artist Lee U-fan, which prosecutors say was received from a former prosecutor in February 2023.
According to investigators, the former prosecutor gave the painting in exchange for help with putting forward his candidacy in elections. The total value of the gifts in the case is estimated at about 300 million won.
