"The wife of South Korea's ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for corruption, as her husband awaits a verdict on a high-stakes rebellion charge that could result in the death penalty or life imprisonment. Kim Keon Hee was sentenced for receiving luxury gifts including a Graff diamond necklace and a Chanel bag from the Unification Church in return for promises of political favours."
"Being closest to a president, a first lady can exert significant influence on him and is a symbolic figure who represents the country together with a president, the court said in a televised verdict. But the defendant exploited her position to seek personal gains. Kim said via her lawyers that she would humbly accept the court's view and apologises again to everyone for causing concerns."
Kim Keon Hee received a 20-month prison sentence for taking luxury gifts from the Unification Church in exchange for promises of political favours. The court stated that a first lady can exert significant influence and found that the defendant exploited her position for personal gain. Kim expressed via lawyers that she would humbly accept the court's view and apologised for causing concerns. Her husband, Yoon Suk Yeol, faces a separate rebellion verdict that could carry life imprisonment or the death penalty and has already received a five-year term for related martial law charges. Independent counsel had sought a longer sentence and plans to appeal; some charges were acquitted, and political reactions were sharply divided.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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