SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — South Korean prosecutors are investigating a luxury bag scandal involving First Lady Kim Keon Hee, focusing on a Dior handbag valued at 3 million won (US$2,163) that she allegedly received from a Korean American pastor.
According to Yonhap News Agency, The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office received the bag from the presidential office on Friday to determine if it was the same item given to Kim, whether it had been used, and the reasons for its retention at the presidential office. According to reports, Kim was questioned for 12 hours last week regarding the case. There are discrepancies in statements, with aides claiming the bag was to be returned the same day it was received, but was forgotten due to other pressing tasks. Additionally, investigations will address whether President Yoon Suk Yeol declared the gift as required by law. This inquiry follows the closing of an initial probe by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission last month, which cited the absence of specific rules for punishing a public official's spouse under the act. The ongoing scandal continues to stir controversy around the presidential couple.