An image of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee is seen during a rally by supporters outside of the Seoul High Court in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The letters read “Not Guilty.”
Ahn Young-joon/AP
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Ahn Young-joon/AP
SEOUL, South Korea — The appeals court in Seoul has increased the prison sentence of Kim Keon Hee, the wife of South Korea’s ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, to four years for corruption. This comes just weeks after her husband received a life sentence for rebellion.
In January, Kim was sentenced to 20 months by a district court for accepting gifts, such as a Graff diamond necklace and a Chanel bag, from the Unification Church, which was seeking political favors. Although she was cleared of charges related to stock price manipulation prior to becoming the first lady, the Seoul High Court later found her guilty of receiving another Chanel bag from the church and involvement in the price manipulation scheme.
Following both parties’ appeals, the Seoul High Court delivered its verdict on Tuesday. The couple’s downfall began with Yoon’s declaration of martial law in December 2024, which led to his impeachment and removal from office. Yoon is now facing multiple criminal trials connected to the martial law situation and other scandals. Investigators have stated that Kim was not involved in the enforcement of martial law.
The Seoul High Court emphasized that a first lady, due to her proximity to the president, represents the country alongside him and holds significant influence. The court noted that Kim failed to meet public expectations for integrity and used her status to secure gifts from the Unification Church.
Kim’s legal team plans to challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, independent counsel Min Joong-ki’s team had initially sought a 15-year sentence. Kim’s defense argues that the investigation led by Min was politically motivated.
Kim has been incarcerated since August when the Seoul Central District Court issued a warrant for her arrest, citing the potential destruction of evidence. During Yoon’s presidency, Kim was embroiled in numerous scandals that negatively impacted her husband’s approval ratings and provided ammunition to his political opponents.
On December 3, 2024, Yoon, a conservative, imposed martial law, deploying troops and police to the National Assembly in an attempt to target “anti-state forces” and “North Korea sympathizers.” The martial law was lifted after six hours following a unanimous vote by the assembly to end it.
Yoon defended his actions as a desperate measure to gain public support against the liberal opposition Democratic Party, which he claimed was obstructing his political agenda. In February, the Seoul district court found Yoon guilty of rebellion for his illegal attempt to seize the assembly, arrest political opponents, and establish unchecked power indefinitely.
