South Korea's first lady Kim Keon-hee sentenced to seven years in prison

South Korean court sentenced first lady Kim Keon-hee to seven years’ imprisonment for receiving bribes under the “Mae‑gwan Magic” scandal. The ruling detailed that she accepted a Breguet Constantin watch worth about 39.9 million won from the CEO of a drone company, to which she replied, “대만족, 실물이 더 이쁘다” (“very satisfied, the real thing is even prettier”). The judge noted that the gift, along with other luxury items—including a necklace, brooch and earrings valued at roughly 2.9 billion won—constituted illegal enrichment using her official position.

The court described her conduct as “the most serious case of facilitating private gain in exchange for political influence.” This verdict concludes the first‑instance trials for two of the three criminal cases against her; the third case involving stock‑price manipulation and other allegations is pending before the Supreme Court. Prosecutors continue to investigate additional matters such as alleged preferential treatment on a highway project and possible obstruction of investigations.

Kim’s sentencing marks a rare conviction of a serving first lady and is expected to intensify scrutiny of the ruling People Power Party and President Yoon Suk‑yeol’s administration.