Final Push by Prosecutors: Hardline Demand
On December 3, 2025, prosecutors asked the court to sentence former First Lady Kim Keon Hee to 15 years in prison, alongside a fine of roughly 2 billion won, and to recover about 940 million won in alleged illicit profits.
The charges against her include bribery, stock-price manipulation, and violations of political fundraising regulations. Prosecutors also allege that she accepted luxury gifts — including high-end handbags, a diamond necklace, and other valuable items — from a religious organization in exchange for influence.
Kim appeared in court dressed in a black suit and issued a brief apology to the public for the concern caused. However, she denied all wrongdoing, arguing that she neither directed nor personally carried out any of the alleged stock trades — and maintained that the gifts she received came without strings attached.
Charges at a Glance: What She’s Accused Of
| Allegation | Details |
|---|---|
| Stock-market manipulation | Prosecutors claim she earned about 800 million won in 2010–2011 through illicit trading involving small-cap stocks. |
| Bribery & illicit gifts | Allegedly accepted gifts such as luxury bags, jewelry, and ginseng — valued around 80 million won — from a religious organization seeking influence. |
| Political fundraising violations | Accused of breaching laws governing campaign funding and political donations. |
Her defense contends that there is no proof she ordered or directly participated in any stock transactions. They claim the gifts were purely goodwill offerings with no expectation of favors.
Verdict Awaited Early Next Year
The trial for Kim concludes now with prosecutors having delivered their final arguments. The verdict is scheduled to be announced on January 28, 2026.
This case forms part of a broader investigation into alleged abuses of power tied to the previous presidential administration, which included a controversial period of martial law last year.
