Prosecutors in South Korea have formally demanded a 15-year prison sentence for former first lady, signaling what could be one of the most consequential political-legal cases in recent memory. The bid for a lengthy jail term for Kim Keon Hee — a once-powerful figure in the country’s political elite — sharply illustrates the gravity of the charges she faces, and underlines the state’s message that no one can stand above the law. Reuters+2Korea Times+2
What Led to the Demand
- Prosecutors allege that between 2010 and 2012, Kim was involved in a scheme to manipulate the stock price of a major auto-dealer company, enriching herself — illegally — by roughly 810 million won. qazinform.com+2Korea Times+2
- Additional accusations include illicitly accepting luxury gifts from a religious group, orchestration of illicit political funding, and facilitating illegal campaign-related opinion polls ahead of the 2022 general election. Korea Times+2The Star+2
- The prosecutors’ final demand at the hearing includes a 15-year sentence, a fine of about 2 billion won, and forfeiture of profits — a combined punishment meant to reflect the alleged severity and breadth of wrongdoing. Korea Times+2eNCA+2
Charges in Detail
| Charge | Allegation / Evidence | Prosecutors’ Request |
|---|---|---|
| Stock-price manipulation | Collusion with a former head of a BMW-car dealership and associates to rig prices and generate illegal gains (≈ 810 million won) | 11 years in prison + fine + forfeiture qazinform.com+2Korea Times+2 |
| Bribery / Accepting luxury gifts | Allegedly received luxury goods (designer bags, jewelry, ginseng) from a religious group tied to influence-peddling | 4 years in prison + forfeiture of bribe-related gains Korea Times+2The Star+2 |
| Illegal political funding / Opinion-poll scandal | Charged with securing free and illicit opinion polls worth hundreds of millions of won during 2022 election season | Additional prison term + penalties if convicted Korea Times+2qazinform.com+2 |
Taken together, prosecutors argue, these offenses demonstrate “a systematic abuse of privilege,” corrosive to democratic governance and the principle of equality before the law. qazinform.com+2South China Morning Post+2
Reaction and Defense
Kim has denied all allegations. In her final hearing, she described the claims as “deeply unjust,” but also expressed remorse for having caused public concern. eNCA+2Korea Times+2
Her legal team argues that she neither directly executed any stock trades nor signed any contracts pertaining to political funding or polling services — disputing the core of the prosecutors’ evidence. Korea Times+2bdnews24.com+2
Why This Case Matters
- This could mark the first time in South Korean history that a former first lady receives a jail sentence spanning more than a decade — setting a precedent for accountability at the very top of political hierarchy.
- The case is deeply entwined with the fallout from her husband’s controversial attempt to declare martial law in 2024 — a move that destabilized the country’s democratic institutions and triggered sweeping political and legal investigations. Korea Times+2The Star+2
- It underscores broader concerns over the influence of powerful organizations — including religious institutions — in politics and business, and how informal networks can operate beyond transparent legal or ethical oversight.
What Happens Next
A verdict in this case is expected on January 28, 2026 when the court delivers its judgment. Until then, speculation remains intense: observers across South Korea and beyond watch whether the trial will end in a long prison sentence — or open the door to future appeals or plea deals. Reuters+2Korea Times+2
Meanwhile, the wider investigation into related political-legal scandals — including those concerning her husband, Yoon Suk Yeol — continues, creating a sense of uncertainty over the country’s political future.
