S. Korea's First Lady Ignites Scandal After She's Allegedly Seen Accepting Luxury Handbag
South Korean law states it is illegal for public officials and their spouses to receive gifts worth more than 1 million won (RM3,500) at a time.
By Laila Zain — 26 Jan 2024, 11:31 AM
The alleged acceptance of a luxury Christian Dior bag by South Korean First Lady Kim Keon Hee has plunged the ruling People Power Party (PPP) into disarray
Spy camera footage released late last year, showing a pastor presenting the bag, has become a significant political issue, threatening President Yoon Suk Yeol's party ahead of April's elections.
The footage, released by the left-wing YouTube channel Voice of Seoul, captured Pastor Choi Jae-young purchasing the greyish-blue calfskin bag, with a receipt putting its cost at 3 million won (RM10,600). He then visits Covana Contents, a Seoul company owned by the first lady, where she asks, "Why do you keep bringing me these things?" as reported by BBC News.
According to reports, the video was secretly filmed by the pastor using a camera embedded in his watch.
While the video doesn't explicitly show her accepting the gift, the presidential office confirmed receipt, stating it's "being managed and stored as a property of the government".
Public opinion is demanding an explanation from President Yoon, with 69% of eligible voters seeking clarity
This scandal, just three months before legislative elections, has given the opposition Democratic Party an opportunity to attack Yoon and the PPP. Violating Korean law on receiving gifts, the controversy adds to the challenges facing the president, whose approval ratings have recently shown a slight recovery.
South Korean law states it is illegal for public officials and their spouses to receive gifts worth more than 1 million won at a time, or a total of 3 million won within a fiscal year.
The scandal has caused internal divisions within President Yoon's party. Calls for the PPP leader Han Dong-hoon's resignation were made after he commented on the controversy. While initial tensions between Yoon and Han emerged, the relationship appears mended. However, the fallout continues, raising questions about the party's cohesion as elections approach.
This scandal is the latest in a series of controversies involving the first lady
Last year, the government cancelled an expressway project amid allegations that its construction would financially benefit Kim's family by raising the prices of land that they own. Then, earlier this month, Yoon vetoed a bill calling for his wife to be investigated over allegations of stock price manipulations.
As South Korea braces for the upcoming elections, the impact of this luxury bag scandal on the political landscape remains uncertain.
