Prosecutor general calls for changes to antigraft laws amid decision not to indict first lady

Prosecutor General Lee One-seok, center, speaks to reporters before entering his office in Seocho District, southern Seoul, on Monday. [YONHAP] Prosecutor General Lee One-seok said Monday that antigraft laws regarding government officials should be revised to include spouses as he signaled his acceptance of a recommendation not to indict first lady Kim Keon Hee for accepting a luxury handbag from a Korean American pastor. Lee also acknowledged that the prosecution service’s decision not to seek an indictment against the first lady could arouse anger as he spoke to reporters upon arriving at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office in Seocho District, southern Seoul, in the morning. “If people see [this decision] as a failure to meet expectations, it’s due to my lack of wisdom as a prosecutor general,” Lee said. “Nevertheless, the opinions of outside experts should be respected.” During a meeting with prosecutors and Kim’s lawyer at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office on Friday, an investigation review committee consisting of 15 external legal experts advised against indicting the first lady after determining no criminal charges were applicable in the case. The panel made its recommendation after the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office had already decided not to charge the first lady with graft, bribery and misuse of power following a three-month probe into her acceptance of a blue calfskin Lady Dior pouch worth 3 million won ($2,240) from Korean American pastor Choi Jae-young in September 2022. Related ArticleProsecution likely not to indict first lady in Dior handbag caseTop prosecutor vows to ‘respect’ results of review panel in first lady handbag case A video of Choi gifting the luxury handbag to Kim, which he covertly recorded using equipment provided by the left-leaning YouTube channel Voice of Seoul, was released by the outlet in November last year, sparking public uproar. President Yoon Suk Yeol later called his wife’s acceptance of the pastor’s gift an “unwise act” in a public address that was widely seen as falling short of a full-throated apology. In his comments to reporters on Monday, the prosecutor general said investigators had thoroughly examined the incident but added that “unwise acts” do not automatically entail criminal charges or prosecution. However, he also said that the case had exposed the shortcomings of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, which, in its current form, prohibits government officials — but not their spouses — from receiving monetary or material remuneration that could impede them from fairly executing their duties. “My personal view is that the relevant law should be amended on this occasion to include spouses of public officials to prevent further social controversy," Lee said. The case was referred to the investigative review committee by Lee, who previously said advice from outside experts was necessary to ensure the probe’s fairness and dispel suspicions regarding the prosecution service’s impartiality. President Yoon served as prosecutor general under his predecessor, Moon Jae-in, before resigning to run for the presidency. Lee previously said that he wanted the investigation into the allegations against Kim wrapped up before he leaves office on Sept. 15. Although prosecutors are required to consider the panel's decision, they are not legally obligated to follow its advice. BY MICHAEL LEE [lee.junhyuk@joongang.co.kr]