South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon Hee has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after a court found she accepted luxury gifts, including a Chanel bag and a Graff diamond necklace, in exchange for political favours. The verdict marks one of the most serious criminal convictions ever handed to a presidential spouse in South Korea and underscores the country’s hard line on corruption involving those close to power. Judges said Kim abused her privileged position for personal benefit, eroding public trust during a period of political instability.
