[Breaking] Kim Keon-hee Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison in First Trial for 'Selling Public Office' Charges

A South Korean court has sentenced former First Lady Kim Keon-hee to seven years in prison on charges of bribery and influence peddling. The Seoul Central District Court ruled on the 26th that Kim used her status as the presidential spouse to engage in the illicit trade of political appointments and business favors.

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The trade of appointments and business favors occurred using the position of the presidential spouse, the highest state power.

The court's decision comes 182 days after Kim was indicted by a special prosecutor in December. The prosecution had requested a sentence of seven years and six months, the maximum allowed by law. In addition to the prison term, the court ordered the confiscation of luxury items, including a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, a Tiffany & Co. brooch, and a Dior pouch, and a 추징 (chujing - recovery of illicit gains) of 64.8 million won.

Prosecutors accused Kim of receiving a total of 291.65 million won worth of valuables from five individuals, including Seo Hee Construction Chairman Lee Bong-kwan, between March 2022 and February 2023. The court stated that Kim "received expensive items that ordinary citizens would not handle in a lifetime without any hesitation," finding all charges to be true. The ruling highlighted that the backgrounds of those providing the money were diverse, indicating a widespread informal network of influence peddling surrounding Kim.

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Received expensive items that ordinary citizens would not handle in a lifetime without any hesitation.

The court emphasized that decisions that should have been made publicly were instead turned into a subject of transaction for Kim's personal gain. Regarding Kim's partial return of some items, the court deemed the "circumstances and timing of the return difficult to consider as favorable." The judges cited the "serious damage to public trust in the fairness of public office" and the "long-term societal conflict and controversy" as reasons for the sentence, noting that Kim did not show sincere remorse.

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The informal structure of requests surrounding Kim Keon-hee was widely formed throughout society.

Lee Bong-kwan and a businessman identified as Mr. Seo, who were also tried for providing bribes, received sentences of one year in prison suspended for two years, and 10 months in prison suspended for two years, respectively.

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The fairness of public office was seriously damaged, and societal conflict and controversy continued for a long time.