Kim Keon Hee verdict due Friday on jobs-for-gifts bribery charges
Synopsis
South Korea's former first lady Kim Keon Hee faces a court verdict this Friday on charges of trading luxury gifts — including a Van Cleef and Arpels necklace, a Dior bag, and a Lee Ufan painting — for job appointments. With a prior four-year sentence already handed down in a separate case, Friday's ruling could deepen one of South Korea's most consequential political-legal crises in a generation.
Key Takeaways
Seoul Central District Court will deliver its verdict on Kim Keon Hee at 2 pm on Friday, 27 June 2025 .
Kim is accused of receiving gifts worth over 100 million won (USD 65,231) , including a Van Cleef and Arpels necklace , in exchange for job appointments and business favours.
Special counsel Min Joong-ki has demanded a seven-and-a-half year prison term ; Kim has pleaded not guilty .
In a separate case, the Seoul High Court sentenced Kim to four years in prison in April 2025 for stock price manipulation and accepting gifts from the Unification Church .
Kim is the wife of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol , who was removed following a declaration of martial law.
A Seoul Central District Court is set to deliver its verdict on Friday, 27 June 2025 in the bribery case against Kim Keon Hee, the wife of South Korea's ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who stands accused of accepting luxury gifts worth over 100 million won (approximately USD 65,231) in exchange for job appointments and business favours. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for 2 pm local time, according to judicial sources.
What Kim Keon Hee Is Accused Of
Kim was indicted in December 2024 on charges of violating South Korea's law on the acceptance of bribes for mediation. Prosecutors allege she received jewellery — including a Van Cleef and Arpels necklace — from the chairman of a construction company between March and May 2022, alongside a request for a government position for the businessman's son-in-law.
She is also accused of receiving a golden turtle ornament from Lee Bae-yong, former head of the National Education Commission, in April 2022, allegedly in exchange for his appointment to that post. Further allegations include accepting a Dior bag valued at 5.4 million won from a pastor, a Vacheron Constantin watch from an entrepreneur, and a painting by renowned artist Lee Ufan from a former prosecutor in February 2023.
Prosecution's Demand and Kim's Defence
During a trial hearing last month, the special counsel team led by Min Joong-ki demanded a seven-and-a-half year prison term for Kim, arguing she 'repeatedly used her status as the spouse of the president for transactions for personal interests.' Kim has pleaded not guilty, contending that while she did receive the gifts, they were not tied to any specific requests.
Separate Conviction Already on Record
This verdict comes on top of a prior ruling: in April 2025, the Seoul High Court sentenced Kim to four years in prison in a separate corruption case, after finding her partially guilty of involvement in a stock price manipulation scheme and guilty of accepting luxury gifts from the Unification Church. That hearing was televised live — an unusual step reflecting the scale of public interest in the case.
Broader Context
Kim's legal troubles are inseparable from the political collapse of her husband's presidency. Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted following a short-lived declaration of martial law, and his removal has kept the couple at the centre of South Korea's most turbulent political moment in decades. Critics argue the cases against Kim expose how informal influence wielded by presidential spouses can become a structural governance risk — a debate that has gained fresh urgency across several Asian democracies. Friday's ruling will be closely watched as a test of judicial independence in a politically charged environment.
Point of View
Burnished through decades of civilian governance, is partly on trial here too.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kim Keon Hee accused of in the Friday verdict case?
Kim Keon Hee is accused of accepting luxury gifts worth over 100 million won — including a Van Cleef and Arpels necklace, a Dior bag, a Vacheron Constantin watch, and a painting — in exchange for government job appointments and business favours between 2022 and 2023. She has been charged with violating South Korea's law on the acceptance of bribes for mediation.
What sentence has the prosecution demanded for Kim Keon Hee?
The special counsel team led by Min Joong-ki has demanded a seven-and-a-half year prison term, arguing Kim repeatedly leveraged her position as the president's spouse for personal gain.
Has Kim Keon Hee been convicted before?
Yes. In April 2025, the Seoul High Court sentenced Kim to four years in prison in a separate trial, finding her partially guilty of involvement in a stock price manipulation scheme and guilty of accepting luxury gifts from the Unification Church. That hearing was broadcast live on television.
Who is Kim Keon Hee and why is this case significant?
Kim Keon Hee is the wife of South Korea's ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office after declaring martial law. Her cases are seen as a major test of judicial accountability and have reignited debate over the unchecked influence wielded by presidential spouses in South Korean politics.
When and where is the verdict being delivered?
The Seoul Central District Court is scheduled to deliver the verdict at 2 pm on Friday, 27 June 2025, at a sentencing hearing in Seoul, South Korea.
