South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is currently facing significant challenges to his political career amid discussions of his potential impeachment. He is grappling with a series of missteps, including a brief and contentious declaration of martial law. One notable incident that has contributed to the decline in his public support involves a luxury handbag from Dior, which was reportedly given to First Lady Kim Keon Hee under dubious circumstances.
Although this event occurred in 2022, it gained renewed attention in November 2023, leading to a political uproar this year, as reported by Bloomberg. While prosecutors have exonerated Kim from any criminal wrongdoing, opposition parties in South Korea assert that the luxury handbag was a form of bribery and are calling for an independent investigation into the issue.
In response, both Yoon and the First Lady have vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that the gift was part of a scheme to undermine their reputations. The controversy began when a video recorded by Pastor Choi Jae-young captured the purchase of the Dior bag, which cost 3 million won (approximately $2,250 or around ₹190,000 at that time).
Choi, who opposes the president’s stringent policies towards North Korea, filmed the incident using a hidden camera embedded in a watch. The footage shows him entering what appears to be a planning firm operated by Kim and handing her a shopping bag that allegedly contained the Dior handbag. In the video, Kim is heard questioning, “Why do you keep bringing these?” and subsequently remarked, “Never buy something expensive like this.”
The video resurfaced a year later on a left-leaning political website known for its critical stance towards Yoon’s administration. This incident has evoked memories of previous “pay-to-play” scandals, where individuals exploited their connections to those in power for personal benefit. Additionally, it has sparked a debate regarding whether the First Lady inadvertently attracted negative attention or if she is being targeted for her elevated public profile.
In July of this year, Kim underwent nearly 12 hours of questioning by prosecutors regarding the incident. Following this, her attorney informed Yonhap News that the South Korean First Lady answered in a “sincere manner and conveyed the truth.”
Consequently, the prosecutors did not uncover any evidence suggesting that favors were exchanged for the luxury bag. In discussing the matter, Yoon indicated that it arose from his wife’s inability to sever connections with the pastor. Yoon emphasized the necessity of establishing a clearer boundary to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
