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Prosecutors Seek 15-Year Sentence for Ex-First Lady Kim Keon Hee

Sentencing is scheduled for January 28 after final arguments on charges spanning stock manipulation, bribery, illegal political funds.

Overview

  • Special counsel Min Joong-ki’s team asked the court for 15 years in prison, a 2 billion won fine, and seizure of 811.4 million won they say are illicit gains.
  • Prosecutors allege Kim conspired to manipulate Deutsch Motors shares from 2010 to 2012, generating roughly 810 million won in profits with associates.
  • Additional charges include accepting free opinion polling worth 270 million won in 2022 in exchange for a party nomination favor and receiving luxury gifts worth 80 million won from a Unification Church official via a shaman.
  • Kim, detained since August 12, denied wrongdoing in her final statement, apologized to the public, and delivered part of her defense through a PowerPoint presentation.
  • The court accepted a written statement from an alleged accomplice surnamed Lee as evidence, and separate probes continue into further bribery, interference with a state investigation, and potential misuse of cultural heritage assets.