A South Korean court has sentenced former First Lady Kim Keon Hee to one year and eight months (20 months) in prison for corruption.
The Seoul Central District Court found Kim, the wife of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, guilty of accepting lavish bribes in exchange for political and business favours.
The court found she accepted luxury goods, including Chanel handbags and a Graff diamond necklace, from officials of the Unification Church.
Kim was cleared of other high-profile charges, including stock price manipulation and violations of the Political Funds Act, due to insufficient evidence. She was ordered to return the diamond necklace and pay approximately 12.85 million won in cash.
This ruling marks the first time in South Korean history that a former president and first lady have been convicted and jailed at the same time.
By Anthony Solly
