Special counsels call down fire and brimstone in insurrection cases, but courts refuse to make it rain

Korea’s special prosecutors face challenges in securing convictions against former President Yoon Suk Yeol and others, with courts often providing lesser sentences than sought amid critiques of political motivations and evidence standards.

2026-02-18

Ex-first lady's former investment manager sentenced to year and half in jail in lobbying case

A Seoul court on Friday sentenced a close associate of former first lady Kim Keon Hee to one and a half years in prison for offering to help a suspect in a stock price manipulation scheme in exchange for money.

2026-02-13

Kim Keon Hee sends letter of gratitude to supporters while in detention

Kim Keon Hee, the wife of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, expressed gratitude toward her supporters in a handwritten letter from jail, writing that “even someone as lacking and sinful as me receives love."

2026-02-12

Unification Church leader temporarily released from detention over health issues

A Seoul court on Wednesday temporarily released Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja from detention to allow her to receive medical treatment as she faces a criminal trial on bribery charges linked to former first lady Kim Keon Hee.

2026-02-12

Kim Keon Hee's mother pays more than half of $1.7M fine, canceling public auction process

Former first lady Kim Keon Hee’s mother, Choi Eun-soo, paid 1.3 billion won ($893,000) on Tuesday after the Seongnam city government began the public auction procedure for the real estate that she owned.

2026-02-11

'Butler' of ex-first lady's family acquitted of embezzlement, other charges dismissed

A court on Monday acquitted an associate of former first lady Kim Keon Hee over embezzlement allegations while dismissing other charges brought against him by a special counsel team.

2026-02-09

Ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee appeals 20-month prison sentence in corruption trial

Former first lady Kim Keon Hee's lawyers on Monday appealed against a court ruling sentencing her to 20 months in prison for accepting luxury gifts from the Unification Church.

2026-02-02

Special counsel appeals ruling on ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee in corruption case

A special counsel on Friday appealed a court ruling in the corruption case of former first lady Kim Keon Hee that handed down a prison term but found her not guilty on most charges.

2026-01-30

DP slams Kim Keon Hee ruling as 'woefully inadequate'

The Democratic Party sharply criticized a court’s ruling on Wednesday that sentenced former first lady Kim Keon Hee to 20 months in prison in the first trial of the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation and related cases, calling the verdict "absurd.”

2026-01-28

Ex-first lady Kim Keon Hee sentenced to 20 months in prison for accepting bribes

A lower court on Wednesday sentenced former first lady Kim Keon Hee to 20 months in prison for accepting bribes from the Unification Church but acquitted her of separate charges on stock price manipulation and illegal political funding.