Late last year, camera footage emerged showing a pastor presenting the luxury handbag to the first lady.
The controversy surrounding South Korea's first lady, Kim Keon Hee, and her alleged acceptance of a luxury Dior handbag has plunged the ruling People's Power Party (PPP) into chaos, posing a threat to the party. President Yoon Suk Yeol in the upcoming April elections.
Late last year, spy camera footage emerged apparently showing a pastor presenting the luxury handbag to the first lady. The scandal, widely covered by left-wing media, has become a focal point of political discourse and could affect the PPP's electoral prospects.
While the video does not explicitly show the first lady accepting the gift, the confirmation of the presidential position and its management as government property have fueled public discontent.
Recent polls indicate that 69% of eligible voters demand an explanation from President Yoon about his wife's actions, while a December poll suggested that 53% found her behavior inappropriate.
With legislative elections just three months away, the scandal comes at a crucial time for President Yoon, whose approval ratings have been gradually recovering. Political analysts describe the situation as a “political bombshell”, with possible ramifications for the PPP.
The opposition Democratic Party has seized on the issue to criticize President Yoon and the ruling party. The controversy has also caused internal divisions within the PPP, with Chairman Yoon reportedly urging party leader Han Dong-hoon to resign after he acknowledged the matter was a “public concern.” Despite the tensions, both men continue to work within the party.
Amid the scandal, comparisons have been made between the First Lady and Marie Antoinette, known for her extravagant lifestyle. The controversy is the latest in a series involving Kim Keon Hee, including accusations of stock price manipulation and a scrapped expressway project that raises questions about potential financial benefits for his family.
As South Korea approaches a critical election period, the luxury handbag scandal threatens to reshape the political landscape, prompting calls for transparency and accountability from President Yoon and the PPP.
