South Korean prosecutors on Monday alleged that the country’s former first lady accepted luxury bribes worth more than $200,000 and secretly interfered in state affairs while in office.
Kim Keon Hee, the wife of disgraced former president Yoon Suk Yeol, was arrested in August and has been under investigation over allegations of stock manipulation and receiving expensive gifts linked to the Unification Church. She has also faced accusations of interfering in parliamentary elections.
Announcing the conclusion of the probe, lead prosecutor Min Joong-ki said South Korea’s institutions were “severely undermined by abuses of power” allegedly committed by Kim. Another prosecutor, Kim Hyung-geun, said she “illegally intervened in state affairs behind the scenes, beyond the public’s view.”
Prosecutors claimed Kim received bribes from business figures and politicians amounting to 377.25 million won, equivalent to about $263,000. According to investigators, the items included two Chanel handbags and a Graff necklace allegedly given by the leader of the Unification Church. She was also accused of receiving other luxury jewellery, a painting by renowned South Korean minimalist artist Lee Ufan, a Dior handbag, and a wristwatch.
Former president Yoon denied any knowledge of the alleged transactions when questioned by investigators, a position prosecutors described as “a claim that many find difficult to accept.”
Earlier in December, prosecutors sought a 15-year prison sentence for Kim, accusing her of having “stood above the law” and colluding with the Unification Church in ways that violated the “constitutionally mandated separation of religion and state.” They also asked the court to impose a fine of two billion won, roughly $1.4 million.
Kim has denied all charges. In her final testimony, she described the allegations as “deeply unjust.” She added, “Yet when I consider my role and the responsibilities entrusted to me, it seems clear that I have made many mistakes.”
The case unfolds amid lingering political upheaval in South Korea following Yoon’s dramatic declaration of martial law last December in a brief attempt to suspend civilian rule. The move triggered widespread unrest and ultimately led to his removal from office and arrest this year on insurrection charges, which he denies. It marked the first time in the country’s history that a former president and his spouse were both detained.
A Seoul court is scheduled to deliver its verdict and sentence Kim on January 28.
What you should know
The case against Kim Keon Hee represents one of the most serious corruption scandals involving a South Korean first lady.
Prosecutors argue that her alleged acceptance of luxury gifts and behind-the-scenes influence undermined democratic institutions and blurred the constitutional line between religion and state. The scandal has intensified public scrutiny of elite privilege and accountability, especially following the dramatic fall of her husband, former president Yoon Suk Yeol.
The court’s decision could set a significant precedent for how South Korea handles corruption cases involving spouses of top political leaders.
