South Korean First Lady Kim Keon Hee's Sentence Increased to Four Years in Corruption Case

Seoul. The political downfall linked to former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from power, is deepening. An appellate court has increased the jail sentence for his wife, Kim Keon Hee, in a further corruption case. This decision, coming after Yoon was already sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of rebellion, makes the downfall of the former ruling couple even more dramatic.

The Seoul High Court on Tuesday decided to extend Kim's sentence to four years. Previously, in January, the district court had sentenced her to 20 months in jail. At that time, it was proven that she had taken expensive gifts—a diamond necklace and a Chanel bag—in exchange for political support from the Unification Church. However, she was acquitted of charges of involvement in stock price manipulation before becoming the First Lady.