SEOUL (ANN/KOREA HERALD) – South Korean prosecutors on Wednesday closed the high-profile case concerning First Lady Kim Keon Hee’s alleged acceptance of luxury gifts, including a Christian Dior handbag, despite strong objections from opposition parties. The case, which has been a source of political contention since late last year, was officially dismissed without charges. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office announced that neither the giver nor the receiver of the gifts, valued at approximately KRW5 million (USD3,800), including the handbag priced at KRW3 million, would face legal action.
President Yoon Suk Yeol, the spouse of the first lady and a public official, was cleared of wrongdoing. The prosecutors concluded that the gifts had no connection to the president’s official duties, thus not violating South Korea’s anti-graft or anti-bribery laws. The decision was further based on the fact that current anti-corruption laws do not clearly outline penalties for public officials’ spouses.
As a result, the prosecution found that Kim’s actions were not punishable under the existing legal framework. The investigation found that the gifts that Korean-American pastor Choi Jae-young allegedly gave were intended to “build a friendship” with Kim rather than influence President Yoon’s duties. The same conclusion was reached for two employees of a local media outlet, Voice of Seoul, who exposed the hidden camera footage of the transaction in November 2023.
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