---
title: "South Korea prosecutors seek 15-year jail term for ex-First Lady Kim"
description: "South Korean prosecutors on Wednesday sought a combined 15-year prison sentence for former First Lady Kim Keon Hee, who has been indicted for bribery and other charges and is currently on trial."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "World"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-12-03-south-korea-prosecutors-seek-15year-jail-term-for-exfirst-lady-kim/"
published: "2025-12-03T12:34:18"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 118
---

# South Korea prosecutors seek 15-year jail term for ex-First Lady Kim

> South Korean prosecutors on Wednesday sought a combined 15-year prison sentence for former First Lady Kim Keon Hee, who has been indicted for bribery and other charges and is currently on trial.

By Reuters · Published 3 December 2025, 14:34 SAST

## Content

The case comes amid a year-long probe into former President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law last year and related scandals linked to the once-powerful couple.

The Seoul Central District Court is due to deliver its verdict on January 28.

At a trial held on the first anniversary of Yoon's martial law declaration, prosecutors delivered their final arguments on Kim's charges including stock manipulation, violating political fundraising laws by asking a power broker to carry out free opinion polling, as well as accepting bribes from the Unification Church.

Kim, dressed in a black suit, apologised to the public for causing concerns. She has denied wrongdoing.

(Reporting by Heejin Kim; Writing by Joyce LeeEditing by Ed Davies)