Kim Keon-hee, wife of impeached former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, was sentenced to 20 months in prison on corruption charges Wednesday, January 28, 2026, in a landmark ruling broadcast live nationwide. The Seoul Central District Court found her guilty of influence peddling and financial misconduct during her husband's presidency, which ended abruptly following his 2025 impeachment.
The verdict comes amid heightened scrutiny of political ethics in the Republic of Korea, with prosecutors presenting evidence of illicit dealings involving cultural foundation funds. Legal experts describe this as one of the most significant convictions of a former first family member in recent decades.
Current political analysts suggest the ruling could impact ongoing debates about accountability reforms in East Asia's fourth-largest economy. The case has drawn attention from international observers tracking governance standards across Asian democracies.
