Political situation in South Korea

Former president's wife received Chanel bag - gets tougher sentence

South Korea's former first lady Kim Keon-Hee gets tougher sentence and is sentenced to four years in prison, the court in Seoul announced. She was sentenced in January to almost two years in prison for bribery, after receiving luxury gifts in the form of a Chanel bag and jewelry.

In the Court of Appeal, she is now also convicted of market manipulation and fined 314,000 kronor.

Her husband, former president Yoon Suk-Yeol, was sentenced to life in prison for sedition earlier this year. 

The verdict against the former president of South Korea — the case is relevant

• Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol was sentenced to life in prison in February this year for declaring a state of emergency and leading a coup attempt in December 2024.
• He was impeached in April 2025 after the parliament voted down the state of emergency,
• Former Prime Minister Han Duck-Soo was also sentenced to 23 years in prison in January this year for his role in the coup attempt, while the Minister of Defense received 30 years in prison.
• Yoon's wife Kim Keon Hee was convicted and indicted this year for bribery.
• After the verdict, Yoon apologized to the people but stood by his decision and has appealed the life sentence.