Prosecutors seek 7.5-year prison term for ex-first lady Kim Keon-hee in corruption case

KATHMANDU: South Korean special prosecutors on Friday requested a seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence for former First Lady Kim Keon-hee over corruption and abuse of power allegations linked to President Yoon Suk-yeol’s administration.

The independent investigation team, led by special counsel Min Jung-ki, submitted the request to the Seoul Central District Court, accusing Kim of accepting luxury gifts in exchange for influencing government appointments.

According to the indictment, Kim allegedly received expensive jewelry, designer handbags, artwork, and other luxury items from various business figures between 2022 and 2023 in return for securing or facilitating official positions and business advantages.

Prosecutors claim that in March–May 2022, she helped a businessman’s son-in-law obtain a government post in exchange for items such as brooches and earrings.

In April 2022, she allegedly received a “gold turtle” from a former head of a national education body in connection with an appointment promise. In September of the same year, she is also accused of accepting a wristwatch from a robotics entrepreneur in return for business support assurances.

Additional allegations include receiving a luxury designer handbag from a religious figure between June and September 2022, and accepting a painting from a former prosecutor in February 2023 in exchange for recommending a nomination.

Kim was detained and formally indicted in August 2025, becoming the first former First Lady in South Korea’s history to be held in custody during trial.

Separately, former President Yoon Suk-yeol was sentenced to life imprisonment in Feb 2025 on charges related to insurrection, after being accused of masterminding an attempted declaration of martial law in Dec 2024.

He was also the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested and prosecuted while in office.