A South Korean court sentenced former first lady Kim Keon Hee to a year and eight months in prison on Wednesday after finding her guilty of accepting Chanel bags and a diamond pendant from a Unification Church official in exchange for political favors.

The court acquitted Kim, the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office last year, of charges of stock price manipulation and violation of the political fund law.

The prosecutors will appeal against the two convictions, according to the media.

The ruling, which Kim may also appeal, comes amid a series of trials following an investigation into Yoon’s brief imposition of martial law in 2024 and related scandals involving the once powerful couple.

The position of first lady does not come with any formal power that would allow her to participate in state affairs, but she is a symbolic figure who represents the country, the chief justice of the three-judge court said.

“A person who was in such a position may not always be a role model, but a person must not be a bad example to the public,” he said in the ruling.

The court ordered her to pay a fine of 12.8 million won (about 12,155 Cdn) and ordered the confiscation of the diamond necklace. Kim has been in custody since August while being investigated by a team led by a special prosecutor.

Prosecutors sought 15 years in prison. The court acquitted Kim of charges of manipulating stock prices and violating political finance laws.

Kim has denied all the accusations. Her lawyer said the team would review the verdict and decide whether to appeal the bribery conviction.

Kim, dressed in a dark suit and wearing a face mask, was escorted by guards into the courtroom of the Seoul Central District Court and sat quietly as the verdict was handed down.

Supporters of Yoon and Kim, who braved the freezing temperatures outside the court, cheered after the two-count not guilty verdicts.

The Unification Church said the gifts were delivered to her without expecting anything. Its leader Han Hak, who is also on trial, has denied directing her to bribe Kim.

Yoon faces more trials

Yoon, who was ousted from power last April, also faces eight trials on charges including sedition, after a failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024.

He appealed the five-year prison sentence handed down this month for obstructing attempts to arrest him following his state of emergency decree.

In a separate trial this month, prosecutors sought the death penalty for Yoon on charges of plotting a rebellion. The court will make a decision on the case on February 19.

Yoon argued that it was within his powers as president to declare a state of emergency and that the action was aimed at raising alarm over opposition parties’ obstruction of the government.