Seoul: A court sentenced former first lady Kim Keon Hee to one year and eight months in prison Wednesday after finding her guilty of accepting luxury gifts from the Unification Church.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Seoul Central District Court acquitted Kim on charges of involvement in a stock manipulation scheme and violating the Political Funds Act. Special counsel Min Joong-ki's team had initially sought a 15-year prison term for Kim, reflecting the seriousness of the allegations against her.

The trial attracted significant public attention, centering on accusations that Kim had accepted extravagant gifts, which she was found guilty of, while other more severe charges did not hold up in court. The court's decision to acquit her of stock manipulation and political funds violations highlighted the complexity of the case and the challenges in proving such allegations.