South Korean Appeals Court Reduces Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee’s Sentence to Five Years
A South Korean appeals court has reduced former First Lady Kim Keon Hee’s prison sentence from seven years to five following her appeal against the lower court’s ruling.
The court delivered the decision on Tuesday, reducing the sentence imposed on Kim by a lower court in June.
Kim, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, was convicted of accepting luxury gifts and other benefits in connection with requests for political and business favours during her husband’s presidency.
The case centred on allegations that Kim received expensive gifts from individuals seeking favourable treatment or influence under Yoon’s administration.
Her seven-year sentence was subsequently challenged on appeal, leading the appeals court to reduce her prison term by two years.
The ruling comes as South Korea continues to deal with the legal fallout from the political crisis surrounding Yoon’s administration.
Yoon was impeached following his failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024 and was later sentenced to life imprisonment for masterminding an insurrection.
Kim’s sentence now stands at five years following the appeals court’s decision.
