South Korea’s First Lady Scandal Takes a Dramatic Turn

The highly publicized ‘Dior bag scandal’ surrounding South Korea’s First Lady Kim Keon Hee has taken a dramatic turn. According to recent reports, prosecutors are set to clear Kim of any criminal charges related to her receiving a luxury handbag under questionable circumstances.

The Dior bag at the center of the scandal

Background of the Scandal

The scandal began in May when a secretly recorded video of Kim being gifted the bag surfaced. The handbag encounter in late 2022 touched off a political firestorm when the video came to light early this year, with President Yoon Suk Yeol’s political opponents accusing Kim of corruption.

Despite Kim’s claim that the bag was a gift from a friend, opposition parties alleged that the bag was a form of bribery. The handbag was purchased for 3 million won ($2,250) and was given to Kim by a pastor.

President Yoon Suk Yeol

Investigation and Findings

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office launched an investigation into the matter in May. After a thorough probe, the office concluded that there was no direct link between Yoon’s duties and Kim receiving the bag. They found no evidence that favors were offered in return to the individual who gave her the bag.

Kim was questioned for about 12 hours in July, putting a spotlight back on the incident that had dented support for the government. It was also the first time a sitting First Lady had been summoned for questioning as part of a probe into her conduct.

First Lady Kim Keon Hee

Yoon and Kim have denied any wrongdoing and the president apologized in May for causing concern to the public for his wife’s “unwise behavior.”

Opposition Reaction

The opposition Democratic Party criticized the prosecution’s decision, calling for a special counsel probe to reveal the truth.

“We need to reveal the truth with a special counsel probe,” party lawmaker Jo Seounglae said in a statement.

The Fate of the Dior Bag

The bag appears set to become part of national property, with it either being auctioned off for cash that will go to the treasury or being stored as a part of the presidential records for the Yoon government.

The fate of the Dior bag remains uncertain

Conclusion

The ‘Dior bag scandal’ has been a major headache for the Yoon administration, with the opposition seizing on the issue to attack the government. While the prosecution’s decision to clear Kim of any wrongdoing may bring some relief to the government, the opposition’s call for a special counsel probe ensures that the issue will continue to be a thorn in the side of the administration.

As the scandal continues to unfold, one thing is certain - the ‘Dior bag scandal’ will be remembered as one of the most high-profile corruption scandals in South Korean history.