South Korea’s ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee was sentenced to seven years in prison Friday after a Seoul court convicted her of accepting luxury gifts from businesspeople and others seeking political and business favors. The Seoul Central District Court said the spouse of a president must exercise “the highest degree of self-restraint,” but Kim repeatedly accepted valuables in exchange for brokering favors, according to the ruling.
The court ordered the confiscation of gifts including a Van Cleef & Arpels diamond necklace, a Tiffany brooch, a Dior handbag, a storage case for a gold turtle figurine, and a painting by Lee Ufan. Kim, who admitted receiving the gifts but denied they were tied to favors, listened to the verdict with her head bowed. Her legal team criticized the decision and said it will appeal.
The case comes as her husband, ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, faces multiple trials following his brief martial law bid in December 2024.
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