Seoul court to deliver verdict for ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee on bribery charges

SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court was set to deliver its verdict Friday for former first lady Kim Keon Hee on charges of receiving luxury gifts in exchange for job appointments and business favors.

The Seoul Central District Court was scheduled to hold the sentencing hearing for Kim, the wife of ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, on charges of accepting bribes for mediation, at 2 p.m., which will be televised live.

Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team has demanded a 7 1/2-year prison term for Kim, arguing she repeatedly used her status as the presidential spouse for transactions for personal interests.

Kim was indicted in December on charges of receiving over 100 million won (US$64,750) worth of jewelry, including a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, between March and May 2022 from a construction company chairman who requested a government position for the businessman's son-in-law.

She also allegedly received a golden turtle ornament from Lee Bae-yong, former head of the National Education Commission, in April that year in exchange for her appointment to the position.

In addition, Kim is accused of receiving a Dior bag worth 5.4 million won from a pastor in 2022, as well as a Vacheron Constantin watch from another businessman in September that year.

She also faces charges of receiving a painting by renowned artist Lee Ufan from a former prosecutor in February 2023.

The former first lady has pleaded not guilty, arguing she had received the gifts but they did not involve any specific requests.

In April, an appeals court sentenced Kim to four years in prison in a separate trial on corruption charges.