Special Counsel Seeks 7.5-Year Prison Term for Former First Lady in Bribery Case

A special counsel team on Friday sought a 7 1/2-year prison term for former first lady Kim Keon Hee during the final hearing of her bribery trial at the Seoul Central District Court. The team led by special counsel Min Joong-ki made the sentencing recommendation on charges that Kim violated a law on the acceptance of bribes for mediation.

She is accused of receiving luxury gifts along with requests for government appointments and other favors while her husband was president.

Kim is accused of receiving over 100 million won (US$66,700) worth of jewelry, including a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, from the chairman of a construction company between March and May 2022 as well as a request for a government position for his son-in-law.

She also allegedly received a golden turtle ornament from the former head of the National Education Commission in April that year in exchange for an appointment to the position. In addition, Kim is suspected of receiving a Vacheron Constantin watch from an entrepreneur in September 2022 and a painting by renowned artist Lee Ufan from a former prosecutor in February 2023.

The special counsel team also accused her of accepting a Dior bag worth 5.4 million won from a pastor in 2022. "The defendant, while holding a position close to the president, used that influence for transactions for personal interests," the team said. The exchange of the Dior bag had raised controversy when it was unveiled by the media the next year.

Last month, an appeals court sentenced Kim to four years in prison in a separate trial on corruption charges. Kim Keon Hee speaks during former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae's insurrection trial at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul in this April 13, 2026, file photo.