Former First Lady Kim Keon Hee
South Korea’s political turmoil has taken another dramatic turn as former First Lady Kim Keon Hee has been sentenced to seven years in prison after a court found her guilty of bribery and other related offences.
The judgment marks one of the most significant legal developments stemming from the political crisis that brought down the administration of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Kim was convicted following months of investigations into allegations of corruption, financial misconduct, and violations of political funding laws. She was formally indicted in August 2025 by a team led by Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki, just weeks after a court approved her arrest.
According to prosecutors, the former First Lady received unlawful benefits and violated financial market regulations as well as political funding laws during her husband’s administration.
Her conviction comes amid broader investigations targeting several senior officials who served under the former president.
South Korea’s political crisis began on December 3, 2024, when then-President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in an attempt to push his agenda through an opposition-controlled National Assembly. However, lawmakers swiftly overturned the declaration, triggering months of political instability, economic uncertainty, and legal battles.
The fallout eventually led to Yoon’s impeachment and removal from office in April 2025. He was later rearrested after his conservative party lost an early presidential election.
To investigate the unfolding crisis, the government established multiple special prosecution teams to examine both the controversial martial law declaration and corruption allegations involving the former president, his wife, and key members of the administration.
Investigators have since widened their probe to include former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who faces allegations of assisting the martial law declaration, falsifying official documents, destroying records, and providing false testimony under oath.
Authorities have also launched investigations into several other former officials, including ex-Defence Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who is accused of helping coordinate the martial law declaration and deploying troops to the National Assembly.
The legal crackdown has extended beyond senior government officials, with dozens of people reportedly arrested or charged over the political unrest and riots that followed the crisis.
The latest court ruling against Kim Keon Hee underscores South Korea’s ongoing efforts to hold public officials accountable as the country continues to recover from one of the most turbulent periods in its recent political history.
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