South Korea’s ex-first lady jailed for 20 months for corruption

A South Korean court sentenced former first lady Kim Keon Hee to 20 months in prison for corruption on Wednesday ahead of the verdict for disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law imposition a year ago.

The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Kim for receiving gifts from the Unification Church in return for business favors.

The ruling was a surprise after the independent counsel called for a 15-year prison term for Kim on the charges involving bribery, stock price manipulation and political funding law violations.

The court acquitted Kim of charges of stock price manipulation and political funding law violations, citing a lack of evidence.

Kim’s defense team said it thanked the court for its verdict and will discuss whether to appeal.

The ruling was made about three weeks before the court delivers its verdict on a rebellion charge against Yoon for imposing martial law briefly in December 2024.

Another independent counsel has demanded the death sentence for Yoon.

Source: AP/UNB