President Yoon Suk Yeol Addresses Scandal Involving First Lady Kim Keon Hee
In a recent development that has sent shockwaves through South Korean politics, President Yoon Suk Yeol has finally broken his silence on the scandal involving his wife, First Lady Kim Keon Hee. It has been approximately two months since a video surfaced, capturing Kim receiving a luxurious purse from Christian Dior, valued at 3 million won ($2,260), on a hidden camera.
President Yoon addressed the issue during a press conference on Wednesday, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the scandal. He revealed that the visitor who gifted the purse had deliberately attached a hidden camera to a wristwatch, indicating a premeditated scheme. Yoon identified the visitor as Korean-American pastor Choi Jae-young and accused him of orchestrating the entire incident for political gain.
Yoon further criticized the Voice of Seoul, a left-leaning YouTube channel, for releasing the video to the public just as the general election was approaching. He suggested that this timing was a clear indication of political maneuvering. However, despite his reservations about the alleged political motives behind the video’s release, Yoon acknowledged that his wife’s actions, as seen in the hidden camera footage, were regrettable.
During the press conference, Yoon emphasized the importance of proper behavior and drew attention to the need for clear boundaries to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. He explained that the visitor had easy access to Kim because the video was filmed when they were still residing in their private apartment in Seocho-gu, Seoul, before moving to their new presidential residence in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Additionally, Yoon noted that the visitor had brought up his relationship with Kim’s deceased father, which may have influenced Kim’s response.
The Dior bag scandal has not only caused turmoil within South Korea but has also attracted international media attention over the past few months. The scandal first came to light in November when Voice of Seoul released secretly-recorded footage showing pastor Choi gifting the luxury purse, which had just been purchased by a staff member from the channel. Choi had managed to meet Kim due to his friendship with her late father.
Under South Korea’s anti-graft law, known as the Kim Young-ran Act, a public servant can face severe penalties if their spouse is caught accepting gifts worth over 1 million won, even without any favor being sought or given in return. In December, Voice of Seoul filed a lawsuit against the first lady, alleging that she had violated this law.
The video also revealed Kim engaging in a phone call with an unidentified individual, suggesting her involvement in the process of promoting government officials and potentially interfering in state affairs. Pastor Choi, an advocate for engagement with Pyongyang, claimed that he witnessed Kim abusing her power as the first lady.
The presidential office has vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that the first lady was unknowingly filmed without her consent. President Yoon has faced mounting pressure to clarify his stance on the Dior bag scandal, as it continues to captivate public attention both domestically and internationally.
Adding to the controversy surrounding the first lady, she has also been accused of involvement in stock manipulation dating back a decade. In January, an opposition bill calling for a special counsel investigation into these allegations was vetoed by President Yoon. The bill is currently awaiting a revote at the National Assembly.
Throughout this tumultuous period, First Lady Kim Keon Hee has remained out of the public eye. Her last public appearance was on December 15th when she returned from a trip to the Netherlands alongside President Yoon.
As South Korea grapples with the fallout from this scandal, the nation eagerly awaits further developments and clarification regarding the first lady’s alleged misconduct. The political landscape remains tense, and the implications of these accusations could have far-reaching consequences for President Yoon’s administration.
