×

South Korea court cuts ex-First Lady Kim Keon Hee’s prison term to five years, Yonhap says

By Thomson Reuters Sep 22, 2026 | 1:17 AM

SEOUL, Sept 22 (Reuters) – A South Korean appeals court on Tuesday ​reduced former First ‌Lady Kim Keon Hee’s prison sentence to five years from seven for ‌receiving ​bribes during ⁠her husband’s presidency, ⁠Yonhap News Agency reported.

Kim, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, ​was found guilty by a lower ⁠court in ⁠June of accepting ​luxury items in exchange ​for political favours.

Kim has denied ‌the charges. Her lawyers said after Tuesday’s ruling that they ⁠disagreed with the remaining convictions and would appeal to the ⁠Supreme ‌Court.

Yoon was impeached ⁠over his failed ​December ‌2024 martial law ​declaration and ⁠later sentenced to life in prison for masterminding an insurrection.

(Reporting by Jack KimEditing by Ed ​Davies)