Kim was found guilty of accepting jewellery, an expensive designer handbag and other luxury items in exchange for political favours by the Seoul Central District Court on Friday. “She exercised her power as first lady to offer jobs and business favours,” lead judge Cho Sun-pyo said, adding that she received the bribes “without hesitation”.
Kim was fined 64.8 million won ($42,000) and the court ordered the confiscation of the items she received. She denied the charges, saying the gifts weren’t bribes and her lawyers said she will appeal.