Ex-First Lady Kim Keon-Hee wearing a diamond necklace
Appeals in South Korean courts have extended former First Lady Kim Keon-Hee`s prison term from 20 months to four years. Former First Lady Kim was sentenced back in January.
Previously, Kim received gifts like a Graff diamond necklace and a Chanel bag that was worth ₩80 million ($69,310) from the Unification Church for political favors for its overseas business. Along with four years, there is also a ₩50 million ($34,000) fine and a confiscation of the necklace.
However, she was acquitted for her involvement in a stock price manipulation scheme before serving as the First Lady. This was due to insufficient evidence as Kim was aware that her accounts were being used but there was no solid proof that she planned the pump-and-dump scheme.
According to The Strait Times, “The appeals court said that Kim had participated in manipulating the price of a thinly traded Korean stock with multiple traders, reversing a lower court’s ruling that acquitted Kim of the charge.”
Prosecutors argued that the acquittals were wrongful and that her sentence was too lenient after Kim appealed the verdict to clear her name. But after being found guilty for that stock price manipulation charge, the court decided to extend her prison term.
“The Seoul High Court said a first lady, being closest to a president, represents the country together with her husband and has a big influence on him. It said Kim failed to meet public expectations for her integrity and exploited her high-profile status to get the gifts from the Unification Church,” NPR reported.
Independent counsel member Min Joong-Ki is seeking a 15-year prison term for the former first lady. Kim has been in jail since August after an arrest warrant for her was approved by the Seoul Central District Court.
In February, former President Yoon was found guilty of rebellion for mobilizing military and police forces in an illegal attempt to seize the assembly, arrest political opponents and establish unchecked power for an indefinite period.
Supporters gathered outside the courtroom in support of both former President Yoon Suk Yeol and her with banners and slogans like “Yoon, Again, Make Korea Great Again” and “Reset Korea.”
Back in 2022, former First Lady Kim was found guilty for illegally supporting a candidate but due to the relating violations of electoral law, the court dismissed separate charges. Her lawyers plan to appeal to the Supreme Court.
With numerous cases continuing to move through the courts, the legacy of former President Yoon remains under intense legal scrutiny since his December 2024 martial law and other related scandals involving the couple.
During the Dec. 3, 2024 martial law, former President Yoon ordered a halt to all political activities, sent troops to the National Assembly and censored the media. Hours later, the parliament voted against it forcing a reversal.
After the pandemonium, former President Yoon was impeached, removed and imprisoned signifying the consequences of abusing power as a world leader.
Politicians associated with the former president such as former Prime Minister Han Duck-Soo received a 23-year jail sentence as judges ruled he overlooked former President Yoon`s plans.
In prisons, politicians face rigorous incarceration including restrictive monitoring, solitary confinement and basic living conditions and are still battling legal scrutiny while incarcerated. Moreover, they are also kept away from the general population due to security concerns.
Paul Singh Portfolio 