First Lady’s ‘Dior Bag Scandal’ in South Korea Draws Global Media Interest

[iNews24, Reporter Shin Soo Jung] Major foreign media outlets have brought significant attention to the allegations concerning the luxury handbag received by Kim Keon Hee, the wife of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

On the 24th (local time), Reuters reported that the government and ruling party of Yoon Suk Yeol, who is facing an election, have been thrown into disarray due to the “Dior Handbag scandal.” The report suggests that this scandal could threaten the ruling party’s attempt to regain a majority of seats in the upcoming general election in April.

According to the report, there are voices among some ruling party members, the People’s Power, calling for President Yoon and Mrs. Kim to apologize for the “Dior Handbag scandal” and acknowledge that receiving the bag was inappropriate.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) also reported on the 23rd, titled “A $2,200 Dior Handbag Shakes Up Korea’s Ruling Party,” highlighting how “a video secretly recorded by a pastor, showing Mrs. Kim receiving (the bag), is causing a stir within the ruling party.”

The WSJ provided a detailed account of the controversy’s background: “In the video, Pastor Choi Jae Young visited the office of an exhibition planning company that Mrs. Kim was running at the time.” The report further explains, “Upon meeting Mrs. Kim, Pastor Choi presented the Dior bag as a token of gratitude, and Mrs. Kim can be heard saying, ‘Don’t ever bring such an expensive gift.'”

The report from The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) also delved into the aftermath of the revelation, which included the Democratic Party and other opposition parties launching an offensive, claiming a violation of the Anti-Corruption and Bribery Prohibition Act. Within the ruling party, there is a divide, with some members defending Mrs. Kim as a victim of “hidden camera” tactics, while others demand an apology, leading to internal conflicts.

Furthermore, the WSJ analysis pointed out, “The bag controversy adds another political problem for President Yoon, whose approval ratings have declined amidst economic challenges and rising prices.”