A String of Scandals and Luxury Handbags: Who is South Korea’s Former First Lady?
The journey of Kim Keon Hee, South Korea’s former first lady, intertwines luxury, controversy, and political intrigue. As the spouse of disgraced former president Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim has faced numerous legal battles that highlight a complex personal history rich in scandals and startling revelations.
Scandals Surrounding Kim Keon Hee
Kim Keon Hee has faced serious allegations, some predating her husband’s tumultuous political career:
– Bribery and Stock Manipulation: Prosecutors accused Kim, age 52, of earning over 800 million won (approximately $552,570; £404,050) by engaging in a price-rigging scheme tied to Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealership in South Korea, from October 2010 to December 2012.
– Luxury Gifts: She stands accused of accepting luxury handbags, a diamond necklace, and other gifts valued at around 80 million won as bribes from the controversial Unification Church. These bribes were allegedly offered in exchange for business favors.
– Opinion Poll Gifts: Kim reportedly received 58 free opinion polls, valued at 270 million won, from political broker Myung Tae-kyun prior to the 2022 presidential election.
On Wednesday, a court sentenced her to 20 months in prison for accepting bribes from Unification Church officials, though she was acquitted of stock price manipulation and violations of South Korea’s campaign financing laws. Two additional cases remain pending.
This historical verdict marks the first time a presidential spouse has been indicted while in custody, coming just days after her husband was sentenced for similar abuses of power.
Questionable Credentials
Before stepping into the spotlight as South Korea’s first lady, Kim Keon Hee—originally Kim Myeong-sin—was immersed in the art world:
– Education Background: Graduating with an art education degree from Sookmyung Women’s University in 1999, her thesis was later scrutinized for plagiarism, leading to the university revoking her degree in 2025 after an ethics review deemed it compromised.
– Business Ventures: In 2009, she founded Covana Contents, an art exhibition company where she still holds the position of CEO. Reports in 2019 alleged tax evasion and kickbacks related to her art exhibitions, but she was cleared of wrongdoing in 2023; however, a special counsel is re-examining these accusations.
– Fabricated Credentials: During her husband’s presidential campaign, claims surfaced that Kim provided inaccurate qualifications in job and school applications, igniting a scandal that compelled her to issue a public apology for exaggerations on her resume.
The Handbag Scandal
In late 2023, a controversial video emerged, shedding light on Kim’s interactions with a key figure related to the Unification Church:
– Secret Footage: The footage depicted Kim receiving a luxury handbag worth 3 million won (around $2,200; £1,800) from pastor Choi Jae-young. The video, filmed covertly, showed Choi purchasing the bag and later presenting it to Kim at her company’s office.
– Legal Implications: South Korean law prohibits public officials and their spouses from accepting gifts over 1 million won at one time, or a total of 3 million won within a fiscal year. While the footage does not directly show Kim accepting the gift, the presidential office later confirmed that the handbag had been received and was being treated as government property.
This incident contributed to a broader investigation into 16 allegations against Kim, with 12 sent to police for further inquiry.
Disgraced Political Legacy
The scandals involving Kim not only tainted her reputation but also severely impacted her husband’s presidency:
– Yoon Suk Yeol’s Downfall: On January 16, Yoon was convicted of abuse of power and obstructing justice related to a failed martial law attempt in 2024, resulting in a five-year prison sentence.
– Political Crisis: Yoon’s actions precipitated a nation-wide political upheaval, leading to widespread protests as lawmakers rushed to counter his decree. Judges noted a consistent lack of remorse on his part.
Together, Kim and Yoon represent a historic moment in South Korea’s political landscape as they are the first couple in the nation’s history to face incarceration following a scandal-riddled presidency. Their journey embodies the complexities of power, controversy, and public perception in South Korea today.