South Korean Court Increases Former First Lady’s Sentence From 20 Months to 4 Years in Prison

The court had initially acquitted former First Lady Kim Keon Hee of other charges including stock price manipulation and political funding law violations.

South Korean former first lady, Kim Keon Hee, wife of former president Yoon Suk Yeol, arrives at a court to attend a hearing to review her arrest warrant requested by special prosecutors, in Seoul, South Korea, on Aug. 12, 2025. Jung Yeon-je/Pool Photo via AP

A South Korean appeals court on April 28 raised the prison sentence of former First Lady Kim Keon Hee from 20 months to 4 years in prison, after convicting her of further charges.

On Jan. 28, Seoul Central District Court sentenced Kim to one year and eight months in prison for corruption, after finding her guilty of receiving luxury gifts, including a Chanel bag and a Graff diamond necklace, from the Unification Church, in exchange for promises of political favors.