South Korea appeals court reduces sentence for former first lady

A Seoul appeals court on Tuesday reduced the prison sentence for former South Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee to five years, after a lower court had previously sentenced her to seven years in a case involving the acceptance of expensive gifts in exchange for appointments and business favors. The court overturned part of her conviction and acquitted her of some charges, according to Yonhap news agency.

The case centered on allegations that Kim Keon-hee, wife of former South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol, received valuable gifts in return for using her influence in matters related to appointments and business interests. The lower court had found her guilty on all charges before the appeals court reviewed the case.

The appeals court decided to acquit her of some of the charges, which led to the reduction of her sentence from seven years to five years, while upholding convictions on the remaining counts.

Kim Keon-hee was initially sentenced to seven years in prison over the case, but after she appealed, the appeals court issued its new ruling on Tuesday, reducing her prison term to five years.