President Yoon Suk Yeol acknowledges the controversies involving his wife, Kim Keon Hee, including allegations of receiving luxury gifts and stock manipulation, while vowing to improve transparency.
South Korean President Apologizes Amidst Controversies Involving First Lady
South Korean President Apologizes Amidst Controversies Involving First Lady
Yoon Suk Yeol addresses the nation as controversies surrounding his wife spark public discontent.
South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol has publicly apologized following a series of controversies linked to his wife, Kim Keon Hee, involving allegations of accepting a luxury Dior handbag and involvement in stock manipulation. In a televised address, Yoon acknowledged that Kim should have behaved more appropriately, but described the public perception of her as excessively "demonized," asserting that many accusations were "exaggerated."
To enhance oversight, Yoon announced plans to establish an office dedicated to monitoring the first lady's official activities. However, he firmly rejected calls for a formal investigation into her conduct. This statement comes amid a decline in Yoon's approval ratings, with these controversies playing a significant role in the public's growing dissatisfaction.
In late 2023, a left-leaning YouTube channel released footage allegedly showing Kim accepting a luxury Dior handbag worth approximately 3 million won (around $2,200) from a pastor in September 2022, captured through a concealed camera. Initially, Yoon dismissed this leak as a "political maneuver" and did not issue any apologies.
The opposition Democratic Party criticized Yoon's response as "shameless," while internal discord emerged within his own People Power Party, where one member drew parallels between Kim and the historically extravagant Marie Antoinette. Furthermore, the party has long accused the first lady of manipulating stock prices, with Yoon previously vetoing a bill that sought an inquiry into those claims.
