Kim Keon Hee
South Korean businesswoman
Kim Keon Hee (Korean: 김건희; born Kim Myung-shin; 2 September 1972) is a South Korean businesswoman who served as the first lady of South Korea from 2022 to 2025, as the wife of Yoon Suk Yeol, the 13th president of South Korea. From 2009 to 2022, she was the founder, president and chief executive officer of Covana Contents, an art exhibition company that closed down shortly after her husband took office.
Born in Yangpyeong County, Kim graduated from Kyonggi University in 1996. In 2012, she married Yoon Suk Yeol, the then-prosecutor in Supreme Prosecutors' Office. Since the 2022 presidential election, Kim has been the subject of several allegations of misconduct, including bribery, as well as falsification of academic and financial reports.
On 28 January 2026, Kim was sentenced to 20 months in prison for bribery, but was acquitted on two other accusations of stock manipulation and political funding law violation with the judge citing a lack of evidence regarding her involvement. However, after she appealed the verdict, on 28 April 2026 the appeals court found her guilty of Stock manipulation, increasing her sentence to four years imprisonment, imposing a fine of 50 million won, the confiscation of her necklace and a forfeit of around 20 million won, overturning the lower court's decision.
Early life and education
Kim was born Kim Myung-shin (김명신) on 2 September 1972 in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. In 2008, she legally changed her name to her current name. Her father died when she was in middle school.
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