Dior Bag Controversy with S. Korea’s First Lady, Kim Keon Hee

Choi, a person deeply involved with North Korea and a frequent visitor to Pyongyang, was driven by concerns about Yoon’s stringent North Korean policy to seek a meeting with Kim. He was under the impression that presenting luxury items was the only way to gain an audience with Kim. In a subsequent meeting, Choi gifted Kim a Dior bag worth 3 million won ($2,240). This Dior bag, along with a hidden camera, was supplied by Voice of Seoul, a news site known for its opposition to the Yoon government.

Choi, who knew Kim through family connections, was led to believe that luxury gifts (Dior bag) were the key to securing a meeting due to Kim’s response to discussions about potential luxury gifts – including Chanel cosmetics and the luxury Dior bag he claims to have given her during their first meeting. Growing concerns about Kim’s role in the administration led him to record their second meeting with a hidden camera embedded in his watch. This footage was later aired on Voice of Seoul, a left-leaning YouTube channel, in November 2023.

Legal Implications and Political Repercussions

South Korean law prohibits public officials and their spouses from accepting gifts exceeding 1 million won ($750) in a single instance or 3 million won ($2,250) within a fiscal year. They must also report any gifts to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. This law, enacted in 2016 following a major scandal involving former President Park Geun-hye, aims to curb corruption and enhance transparency. Analysts suggest that First Lady Kim Keon Hee may have violated this law by accepting a purse worth 3 million won ($2,250).

The scandal has tarnished the reputation of President Yoon and his ruling PPP, which had pledged to restore trust and integrity in the government. The scandal could significantly impact the upcoming legislative elections, potentially eroding voter trust, particularly among moderates and young voters, and influencing the prospects of potential presidential candidates for the 2027 election.

Other Controversies Involving Kim

Kim Keon Hee has been embroiled in several controversies, including criticisms for her lavish lifestyle, involvement in a religious cult, and alleged plagiarism of a children’s book. She has been compared to Marie Antoinette by some opposition leaders and netizens. Despite maintaining a low public profile, she has been praised for her cultural activities and support for social causes. Kim is also implicated in a 12-year-old stock price manipulation case, leading to the appointment of a special prosecutor, which President Yoon vetoed as politically motivated.

A recent poll found that 69% of eligible voters want an explanation from the president about his wife’s actions, and an earlier survey in December showed that 53% of respondents believed her behaviour was inappropriate, reported News

The ‘Dior Bag Scandal’ involving South Korea’s First Lady, Kim Keon Hee, has stirred the nation’s political scene. Despite the presidential office confirming Kim’s receipt of the Dior bag and stating it’s managed as government property, they deny her involvement in state affairs. This hasn’t quelled the demands from the opposition Democratic Party and citizens for an investigation and apology.

The situation has escalated tensions within President Yoon Suk Yeol’s People Power Party (PPP), with some members urging an apology to shift the focus from Kim to the hidden camera incident. The Dior bag scandal has impacted the PPP’s credibility, potentially affecting the upcoming legislative elections and the 2027 presidential race. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the political future of Yoon’s party and the scandal’s lasting impact on South Korea’s political climate.