Court Jails South Korea’s Former First Lady Over Luxury Bribery

The court found that Kim accepted luxury items — including a Chanel handbag and a Graff diamond necklace — from figures linked to the Unification Church, a controversial religious group founded in South Korea that has long been accused of seeking political influence. Prosecutors argued the gifts were bribes tied to Kim’s position as the president’s spouse.

Both Kim and prosecutors retain the right to appeal.

A Partial Conviction with Far-Reaching Consequences

While the court convicted Kim on bribery charges, it acquitted her of several other high-profile allegations, including stock price manipulation and conspiring with her husband to receive free public opinion polling. Judges cited insufficient evidence and expired statutes of limitation for those charges.

The court also cleared Kim of wrongdoing related to a second Chanel handbag.

Prosecutors had argued that the combined value of the alleged bribes, manipulated stock transactions, and illicit benefits amounted to approximately 1.15 billion Korean won (about $813,000).

In his ruling, Judge Woo In-seong said Kim “misused her status” and failed to uphold the ethical obligations expected of someone occupying such a prominent position.

“The defendant misused her status as a means of pursuing profit,” Woo said. “She was unable to refuse the expensive luxury items provided in connection with special favor and showed a desire to receive and decorate herself with them.”

However, the judge also noted mitigating factors, stating that Kim did not explicitly request the gifts, did not relay demands from the church to her husband, and had shown signs of remorse.

The Unification Church’s Role

At the center of the bribery case was Kim’s connection to figures associated with the Unification Church, often referred to as the Moonies. Founded in South Korea, the church expanded globally and has frequently drawn scrutiny over its political lobbying and financial practices.

The church’s leader is currently standing trial over allegations of orchestrating the delivery of luxury items to Kim in an effort to curry favor with the presidential office.

Kim admitted during proceedings that she received Chanel handbags linked to church figures but denied understanding the items as bribes.

An Unconventional First Lady

From the outset of her time in the Blue House, Kim Keon Hee stood apart from her predecessors.

Before marrying Yoon Suk Yeol in 2012, Kim worked in the art world and founded her own exhibition planning agency. At the time of their marriage, Yoon was a career prosecutor and had not yet entered electoral politics.

As first lady, Kim maintained a highly visible public presence. She frequently appeared in fashionable attire during overseas state visits, attracting international attention — and domestic criticism. Traditionally, South Korean first ladies have kept a low profile, focusing on ceremonial roles and avoiding political visibility.

Supporters praised Kim’s confidence and modern image. Critics argued that her conduct clashed with cultural expectations of restraint and humility.

Academic and Resume Controversies

Public scrutiny of Kim intensified during Yoon’s presidential campaign.

In 2021, Kim publicly apologized for exaggerating elements of her résumé and pledged to “remain focused on my role as a wife” should Yoon win the presidency.

Subsequently, allegations of academic plagiarism emerged. Sookmyung Women’s University revoked Kim’s master’s degree, citing academic misconduct. Kookmin University, where Kim earned a doctoral degree, later rescinded her PhD following the Sookmyung decision, despite having previously cleared her.

The academic rulings further damaged Kim’s public standing and deepened calls for accountability.

Decade-Old Stock Manipulation Allegations

For years, Kim faced accusations that she manipulated stock prices between 2010 and 2012 related to shares in Deutsch Motors, a Korean BMW dealership.

Although the court ultimately dismissed those charges on procedural grounds, the allegations became politically explosive when President Yoon vetoed legislation that would have authorized a special investigation into his wife.

The veto fueled accusations of conflict of interest and intensified opposition criticism.

The Dior Bag That Sparked National Outrage

The controversy escalated sharply in late 2023 with the release of secretly filmed footage by a left-leaning YouTube channel.

The video showed a Korean-American pastor presenting Kim with a $2,200 Christian Dior handbag during a private meeting in 2022, after Yoon’s election victory. The interaction was covertly recorded using a camera hidden in the pastor’s wristwatch.

In the footage, Kim is heard saying, “Why do you keep bringing these? Please, you don’t need to do this.” While she did not explicitly accept the bag on camera, she also did not clearly reject it, and a Dior shopping bag was visible beside her.

South Korea’s anti-graft law prohibits public officials and their spouses from receiving gifts valued at more than 750,000 won (approximately $750) in connection with official duties.

The video ignited public outrage and sent President Yoon’s approval ratings to historic lows.

Martial Law and Presidential Collapse

Following the Dior bag scandal, Kim largely disappeared from public view. However, the crisis escalated dramatically in December 2023 when President Yoon abruptly declared martial law, citing threats to national security.

Lawmakers overturned the decree within hours after forcing their way past armed soldiers into the National Assembly.

Yoon was impeached, removed from office, and later arrested. Special prosecutors launched sweeping investigations into Yoon, Kim, and senior government officials.

The former prime minister was sentenced last week to 23 years in prison.

An Unprecedented Moment

Earlier this month, Yoon was sentenced to five years in prison for obstructing efforts to detain him and for preventing Cabinet deliberation over the martial law decree. He still faces multiple criminal trials, including charges related to rebellion.

While several former South Korean presidents have served prison sentences, including Park Geun-hye, this is the first time a former presidential couple has been jailed simultaneously.

Related: South Korea Repatriates 73 Suspects From Cambodia in $33 Million Online Fraud

Kim remains free pending appeal, and additional legal proceedings remain ongoing. Prosecutors have indicated they may pursue further action.