In 2022, a Dior handbag gift caused a stir, but it was not until November 2023 that it became a full-fledged political scandal. This incident intensified the pressure on South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose leadership was already facing scrutiny.
A 2022 Incident Resurfaces in 2023
As impeachment talks gained momentum, President Yoon struggled to recover from several political blunders, including the controversial imposition of martial law. A luxury Dior handbag given to First Lady Kim Keon Hee under questionable circumstances further damaged his administration.
Although the incident occurred in 2022, it resurfaced in 2023, quickly spiraling into a major political controversy.
Bribery Claims Arise, but No Evidence Found
Opposition parties accused Kim of accepting the luxury gift as a bribe. They called for an independent investigation, but prosecutors cleared her of all charges. Despite this, the accusations continued to fuel public debate.
Both Yoon and Kim denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the gift was part of an effort to discredit them politically. They insisted that no favors were exchanged.
The controversy began with a video filmed by Pastor Choi Jae-young, a critic of Yoon’s hardline policies on North Korea. Choi recorded the purchase of the Dior handbag with a concealed camera.
Public Outcry and President Yoon’s Response
In the video, Choi enters Kim’s office and hands her a shopping bag containing the Dior handbag. Kim can be heard saying, “Why do you keep bringing these?” before adding, “Never buy something expensive like this.”
The video surfaced a year later on a left-leaning political website, known for opposing Yoon’s policies. As a result, the incident drew comparisons to past “pay-to-play” scandals, where individuals used political connections for personal gain.
Some argued that Kim invited unwanted publicity, while others believed she was unfairly targeted due to her growing public profile.
In July 2023, Kim faced nearly 12 hours of questioning by prosecutors. Afterward, her lawyer stated that Kim had answered truthfully and fully cooperated with the investigation. Prosecutors found no evidence of any favors exchanged for the gift.
In defense, President Yoon explained that the controversy stemmed from his wife’s difficulty in cutting ties with the pastor involved. He emphasized the need to set clearer boundaries in the future to avoid similar situations.