Kim Keon Hee sentence cut to 5 years by Seoul appeals court in bribery case
Synopsis
South Korea's former first lady Kim Keon Hee had her prison term cut from seven to five years on appeal, with the Seoul High Court acquitting her on two charges — the luxury watch and a replica painting — while affirming guilt on the rest. Her legal team is heading to the Supreme Court, keeping one of Seoul's most politically charged trials alive.
Key Takeaways
Seoul High Court reduced Kim Keon Hee's sentence from seven years to five years on 22 September 2026 .
She was acquitted of receiving a Vacheron Constantin watch and a Joseon Dynasty replica painting , but convicted on remaining charges.
Gifts at the centre of the case included jewellery worth over 100 million won , a Dior bag , a golden turtle ornament, and a painting by Lee Ufan .
The court ordered forfeiture of 24.4 million won , down from the lower court's 64.8 million won .
Kim's legal team will appeal to the Supreme Court ; the special counsel team is also reviewing its options.
A Seoul High Court appellate bench on Tuesday, 22 September 2026 reduced the prison sentence of Kim Keon Hee, former first lady of South Korea, from seven years to five years, partially overturning a lower court's verdict in a bribery case centred on luxury gifts accepted in exchange for government job appointments.
What the Appeals Court Decided
The appellate court upheld Kim's conviction on most charges but acquitted her on two counts — those relating to the receipt of a luxury Vacheron Constantin watch and a replica painting from the Joseon Dynasty era (1392–1910). The court ordered the confiscation of a painting by renowned artist Lee Ufan and other gifts, along with a forfeiture of 24.4 million won — down from the 64.8 million won ordered by the lower court in June.
'The influence of the president's spouse was reduced to a subject of private transactions, while the transparency and fairness of state affairs as well as the public's trust in state policies and personnel appointments were severely damaged,' the court stated in its ruling.
The Charges Against Kim
Special counsel Min Joong-ki had indicted Kim on multiple counts of accepting high-value gifts. These included jewellery worth over 100 million won (approximately USD 72,800) from a construction company chairman between March and May 2022, allegedly in exchange for a government job for his son-in-law. She was also charged with receiving a golden turtle ornament from Lee Bae-yong, former head of the National Education Commission, in April 2022; a Dior bag from a pastor that same year; and the Vacheron Constantin watch from a businessperson in September 2022. A further charge concerned a painting by Lee Ufan received from a former prosecutor in February 2023, reportedly in return for help securing an election nomination.
The Court's Reprimand
The appeals court was pointed in its criticism of Kim, reprimanding her for 'repeatedly' accepting valuables even though she should have been 'fully aware' the gift-givers expected her to exercise influence as the president's spouse. The bench's language underscored that the case was not merely about individual corruption but about the integrity of public appointments under the administration of her husband, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who took office in May 2022.
What Comes Next
Kim's legal team described the partial acquittal as 'meaningful' but confirmed it would appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court. The special counsel team said it would review the judgment before deciding whether to pursue its own appeal to the top court. The case now enters what is likely to be a protracted final legal phase, with the Supreme Court's eventual ruling carrying significant implications for accountability standards surrounding the families of elected leaders in South Korea.
Point of View
And this case has exposed that vacuum in the starkest possible terms. With a Supreme Court appeal now certain, the final verdict will set a precedent that will outlast the Yoon administration. The special counsel's decision on whether to cross-appeal will be the first real test of whether accountability instincts survive the political climate that follows Yoon's ouster.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Seoul appeals court decide in Kim Keon Hee's bribery case?
The Seoul High Court on 22 September 2026 reduced Kim Keon Hee's sentence from seven years to five years, acquitting her on two charges — receiving a Vacheron Constantin watch and a Joseon Dynasty replica painting — while upholding convictions on the remaining counts.
What were the charges against Kim Keon Hee?
Kim was charged with accepting luxury gifts — including jewellery worth over 100 million won, a Dior bag, a golden turtle ornament, and a Lee Ufan painting — in exchange for government job appointments and an election nomination, between 2022 and 2023.
Will Kim Keon Hee appeal further?
Yes. Her legal team confirmed it will appeal the ruling to South Korea's Supreme Court, describing the partial acquittal as 'meaningful'. The special counsel team said it would also review the judgment before deciding on a counter-appeal.
Who is Kim Keon Hee?
Kim Keon Hee is the wife of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who held office from May 2022. She became the subject of a high-profile special counsel investigation into bribery and abuse of influence linked to her role as first lady.
How does the appellate verdict differ from the lower court's ruling?
The lower court convicted Kim on all counts in June and ordered forfeiture of 64.8 million won. The appellate court acquitted her on two counts and reduced the forfeiture to 24.4 million won, cutting the overall sentence by two years.
