The Prosecutor General, Lee One-seok, has pledged to promptly and rigorously investigate accusations that first lady Kim Keon Hee received a luxury handbag unlawfully as a gift in 2022.
Lee’s commitment follows his directive last week to establish a dedicated investigation team to probe the allegations involving the first lady.
Addressing reporters, Lee stated, “The prosecution will conduct the investigation speedily and strictly in line with evidence and legal principles, taking appropriate action accordingly.”
The allegations surfaced last year when Voice of Seoul, an online news outlet, reported that Kim received a Christian Dior handbag valued at 3 million won ($2,210) from a Korean American pastor in September 2022. The outlet also released a video purportedly capturing the exchange, recorded by the pastor using a concealed camera.
In response, the outlet’s leadership filed a complaint against President Yoon Suk Yeol and the first lady, citing suspicions of bribery and violations of anti-graft laws.
In the wake of its significant victory in the parliamentary elections, the main opposition Democratic Party has pledged to pursue legislation mandating a special investigation into multiple allegations surrounding the first lady during the upcoming parliamentary session.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Cho Ji-ho of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency stated in a press briefing that authorities are assessing whether the pastor’s clandestine filming constitutes a stalking offense. The police initiated an investigation following a complaint from a civic group alleging stalking against the Korean American pastor.
“The question remains whether the pastor’s actions amount to a stalking offense as stipulated by law,” remarked Cho Ji-ho, the Seoul police chief.
Currently, law enforcement officials are deliberating whether to summon the pastor for interrogation as part of their ongoing inquiry.
