South Korea’s former first lady sentenced to 20 months in prison for corruption

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Associated Press

Published Jan. 28, 2026, 1:26 a.m. ET

A South Korean court sentenced former first lady Kim Keon Hee to 20 months in prison for corruption Wednesday ahead of the verdict for disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law imposition a year ago.

A woman in a dark suit and white shirt looks directly at the camera, with two men blurred in the background.South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon Hee arrives at a court to attend a hearing to review her arrest warrant requested by special prosecutors, in Seoul, South Korea, on Aug. 12, 2025. AP

The Seoul Central District Court sentenced Kim for receiving bribes from the Unification Church in return for business favors.

The ruling comes about three weeks before the court delivers its verdict on the rebellion charge against Yoon.

The independent counsel earlier demanded the death sentence for Yoon.

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