Ex-first lady appeals 5-yr bribery sentence to Supreme Court

Former first lady Kim Keon Hee has appealed her five-year prison sentence for bribery to South Korea's Supreme Court, according to legal sources. The Seoul High Court had convicted Kim in a Tuesday ruling, overturning a seven-year sentence initially given by a lower court. The appellate court's decision partially reversed the lower court's verdict, acquitting Kim of charges related to receiving a luxury watch and a replica of a Joseon Dynasty painting.

Kim was indicted by a special counsel team in connection with accepting various expensive gifts from multiple people in exchange for job appointments and business favors between 2022 and 2023. While the district court had convicted her on all charges in June, the appellate court's decision did not result in a complete acquittal of all charges. The special counsel team has also indicated that they plan to take the case to the Supreme Court.