South Korea prosecutors seek 15-year jail term for ex-First Lady Kim

South Korean prosecutors on Wednesday sought a combined 15-year prison sentence for former First Lady Kim Keon Hee, who has been indicted for bribery and other charges and is currently on trial.

The case comes amid a year-long probe into former President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law last year and related scandals linked to the once-powerful couple.

The Seoul Central District Court is due to deliver its verdict on Jan 28.

At a trial held on the first anniversary of Yoon's martial law declaration, prosecutors delivered their final arguments on Kim's charges including stock price manipulation, violating political fundraising laws, as well as accepting bribes from the Unification Church.

Kim, dressed in a black suit, apologised to the public for causing concerns. She has denied wrongdoing.

The prosecutors also requested about 2 billion won ($1.36 million) in fines and a 940 million won penalty to recoup unlawful gains.

At Wednesday's trial, prosecutors alleged Kim reaped about 800 million won of profits in 2010 and 2011 by participating in illegal stock manipulation led by a group using thinly traded small-cap stocks.

Kim's lawyers denied this and said that she had not directed any trading nor traded stocks herself.

Prosecutors also said Kim received two Chanel bags, a diamond necklace and Korean ginseng, which were estimated to be worth about 80 million won, from the Unification Church as part of its efforts to win influence.

Dismissing the charge, her lawyers said the church gave the handbags to Kim as a gift without expecting anything in return.

Han Hak-ja, the leader of the Unification Church who is also on trial, has denied that she directed her church to bribe Kim.

Ousted President Yoon is on trial for masterminding an insurrection, a charge that could mean a life sentence or even a death penalty. He has denied the charges.

Last month, the special prosecutor requested a 15-year jail term for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo who worked for Yoon, on allegations of aiding and abetting Yoon's bid to impose martial law.

The ex-prime minister has denied the main charges he faces. The court has scheduled his ruling for January 21.

($1 = 1,465.7200 won)