South Korea's First Lady Kim sentenced to seven years

A Seoul court sentenced former South Korean First Lady Kim Keon Hee to seven years in prison on Friday, convicting her of accepting luxury gifts in exchange for using her influence over government appointments. The ruling marks another significant legal development in the wide-ranging corruption and political crisis investigations stemming from the administration of her husband, former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The Seoul Central District Court found Kim guilty of influence peddling, stating she knowingly accepted valuables from businesspeople and public figures with the expectation of official favors. In its ruling, the court said Kim neglected the high degree of restraint required of a president's spouse and repeatedly accepted items of extraordinary value by exploiting her position. The gifts ordered confiscated included a Van Cleef & Arpels diamond necklace, a Tiffany brooch, a Dior handbag, a gold turtle figurine, and a painting by artist Lee Ufan.

Prosecutors alleged that between March and May 2022, Kim accepted jewelry worth approximately 103 million won from Seohee Construction Chairman Lee Bongkwan. In return, she offered to help secure a government post for Lee's...