<p>The Seoul Central District Court ruled that Kim abused her position as the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol by receiving valuables from businessmen and influential figures seeking government appointments and other official advantages.</p><p>According to prosecutors, the gifts included a Dior handbag, a Van Cleef &amp; Arpels diamond necklace, a Tiffany brooch, a Vacheron Constantin luxury watch, artwork by renowned Korean artist Lee Ufan, and other expensive items. The court ordered that the assets be confiscated where possible and imposed an additional financial penalty.</p><p>In delivering the verdict, the court stressed that the spouse of a president is expected to uphold the highest ethical standards. Judges concluded that Kim repeatedly exploited her status to broker favors while accepting lavish gifts from individuals hoping to benefit from her influence.</p><p>Kim admitted receiving some of the gifts but denied they were connected to any political or business favors. Her legal team rejected the ruling, describing it as unfair and indicating that an appeal would be filed.</p><p>The sentence adds to Kim's growing legal troubles. Earlier this year, an appeals court increased a previous prison sentence to four years after convicting her over stock price manipulation and separate bribery-related offenses. The latest seven-year sentence stems from a different corruption case involving the exchange of gifts for political influence.</p><p>The conviction comes amid the dramatic political fallout surrounding former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon, who was removed from office following South Korea's constitutional crisis, is already serving a life sentence after being convicted over his role in the failed martial law declaration in late 2024.</p><p>The twin convictions of the former president and former first lady represent one of the most consequential political corruption scandals in modern South Korean history and underscore the country's continued efforts to hold senior public officials and their families accountable under the law.</p>