The reason for the political earthquake in South Korea? This is all the fault of a $2,240 Dior handbag, a designer accessory that South Korean First Lady Kim Keon-hee allegedly received as a gift. A case that emerged a few weeks before the elections and caught the eye of the opposition, causing great difficulties for President Yoon Suk Yeol. The scandal was sparked by images posted on the “Voice of Seoul” website documenting the luxurious gift the president’s wife received last September. Now it has been reported that Kim Keon-hee has been accused of corruption, and a civic group has appealed to the national anti-corruption agency and asked it to launch an investigation into the matter.
Why are you in such a fuss over a bag? In order to prevent corruption cases, South Korea has a law in place that prohibits public officials and their spouses from accepting gifts exceeding approximately $750 at a time or $2,200 over the course of a year. While the opposition has called on President Yoon to make a statement regarding the alleged violation, members of the president’s party are divided. Some demanded a public apology, while others defended the video, calling it an “illegal trap with a spy camera.”
Also according to local media, the images were secretly taken by American activist Choi Jae-young, who filmed the First Lady for several months to investigate allegations of illegal behavior. On the other hand, many people accused the “Voice of Seoul” of exploiting the elections scheduled for next April. In fact, the “bag gate” could deliver a “coup blow” to the popularity ratings, which are already on the decline due to Chairman Yoon’s actions. Moreover, this is not the first time that Kim Keon-hee has been at the center of controversy. In May 2022, before Yoon even became president, the current First Lady publicly apologized following accusations that she had falsified some information on her teaching resume.
The woman is also accused of manipulating stock prices. The presidential office has so far denied all accusations; Yoon vetoed a bill seeking to launch a special investigation into Kim’s alleged involvement in stock manipulation. The presidential couple have six dogs and six cats, and one of the main battles Kim won as First Lady was the ban on the consumption of dog meat. She has also attracted attention in the past for wearing eco-friendly clothing and accessories, such as vegan bags. Her last public appearance dates back to last December, when she accompanied her husband on a corporate visit to the Netherlands.
Source: Today IT
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
