[Anchor]

Kim Keon-hee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for charges related to the so-called "selling of offices," in which she allegedly received money and valuables in exchange for various favors. The court strongly rebuked Kim, stating that she accepted high-priced items without hesitation and used her status as the First Lady to pursue private interests.

Our first report is from reporter An Huijae.

[Reporter]

[Cho Soon-pyo, Presiding Judge of the 21st Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court: The defendant is sentenced to seven years in prison.]

The court found Kim Keon-hee guilty of all criminal charges related to the alleged selling of offices.

The court recognized all charges that she received money and valuables from individuals including Seohee Construction Chairman Lee Bong-kwan, former National Education Commission Chairperson Lee Bae-yong, and former chief prosecutor Kim Sang-min in exchange for various favors.

In addition to the seven-year prison sentence, the court ordered the forfeiture of 64.8 million won and the confiscation of items including a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace from the "NATO set," a gold turtle, a painting by artist Lee Ufan, and a Dior bag.

[Cho Soon-pyo, Presiding Judge of the 21st Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court: The defendant, Kim Keon-hee, accepted high-priced items from others without any hesitation—items that the average citizen would find difficult to acquire even once in a lifetime.]

The court pointed out that the provision of money and valuables by figures from various sectors of society demonstrates that an unofficial structure of solicitation surrounding Kim had formed across society.

In particular, the court noted that the total value of the items Kim received exceeded 100 million won, emphasizing that if she had been a public official, she could have faced a maximum sentence of life imprisonment under bribery charges.

[Cho Soon-pyo, Presiding Judge of the 21st Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court: In that she ignored the social responsibilities required by the status of First Lady and merely utilized that position as a means to pursue private interests, we cannot help but hold her accountable accordingly.]

Kim kept her head bowed throughout the trial, and she was seen with what appeared to be a frown upon hearing the sentence.

Immediately after the sentencing, Kim's side expressed their intention to appeal, stating, "The court expanded its interpretation of circumstances unfavorable to the defendant." Meanwhile, the special prosecutor's team welcomed the ruling, calling it "an appropriate judgment that aligns with the public's sense of justice."

(Video coverage: Yang Hyun-cheol | Video editing: Kim Yoon-sung)