South Korea: former first lady Kim Keon Hee sentenced to 20 months in prison for corruption

Seoul (South Korea), 28 January (LaPresse) – Former South Korean first lady Kim Keon Hee has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for corruption, pending the verdict on her husband, former president Yoon Suk Yeol, who was jailed for imposing martial law a year ago. The Seoul Central District Court convicted Kim of receiving gifts from the Unification Church in exchange for business favours. The independent prosecutor had sought a 15-year prison sentence for Kim on charges of corruption, stock price manipulation and violation of the political financing law. The court acquitted the former first lady of charges of stock price manipulation and violation of the political financing law, citing lack of evidence. The ruling was handed down about three weeks before the court is due to deliver its verdict on Yoon.