Timing has proven crucial in certain matters, yet the administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol has struggled to master this skill during his initial two years in office.

Five months after the initial complaint was filed, Prosecutor General Lee One-seok last week instructed a speedy investigation over allegations that first lady Kim Keon Hee accepted a luxury bag from a Korean American pastor. It is undeniable that this issue significantly undermined the ruling People Power Party's prospects in the April 10 general elections. The issue arose last November when a local media outlet released footage showing the first lady accepting a small bag valued at around 3 million won ($2,206) from the pastor who hailed from the same hometown as Kim. The pastor secretly filmed her with a hidden camera. This incident occurred when the first couple was still residing at their private home in Seocho-dong in September 2022, as the official presidential residence was undergoing renovation. The scene of the first lady meeting and accepting the bag from that pastor created an unusual image. In December, Voice of Seoul, a YouTube-based news channel, lodged the initial complaint with the prosecution, alleging that the first lady and the president had received a bribe.

Why did prosecutors fail to launch a probe immediately? They cited concerns about potential political repercussions leading up to the April elections. However, the outcome of the elections has demonstrated that questions still linger over the gift and suspicions of possible special treatment for the first lady.

Thus, the probe, albeit belated, is an appropriate move. Prosecutors should conduct a comprehensive and meticulous investigation to offer fair and transparent answers regarding whether the luxury bag was related to official duties and whether the president was aware of it. In addition to the investigation, the prosecution and the ruling camp should address and counter criticism from the opposition camp that the probe is an attempt to undermine the opposition's efforts to push for special counsel bills focusing on the administration's missteps.

The DPK, just days after the first official meeting between its leader Lee Jae-myung and President Yoon, once again expedited a special counsel bill on the death of a Marine last year. Even with the delays by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, proposing a special counsel bill while an investigation is underway raises concerns. The DPK also announced plans to initiate a special counsel probe into the first lady's luxury bag gift and the alleged stock manipulation of Deutsch Motors when the 22nd National Assembly opens on May 30.

Both sides should be cautious about creating political discord, where delayed government investigations are followed by opposition-led special counsel bills. The crux of the matter is that the public demands clear explanations regarding how the death of a Marine during a rescue operation amid floods, as well as the handling of the luxury bag gift, were addressed. When the president expressed regret in February that his wife did not "coldheartedly" reject the gift but stopped short of apologizing, he undeniably compounded public frustration.

It appears that the president is making efforts to reach out to the public. In an effort to better gauge public sentiment, the president appointed Kim Joo-hyun, a former prosecutor and vice justice minister, as senior secretary for civil affairs. On Thursday, Yoon will hold his first press conference in almost two years. Presidential office staff said the press conference is intended "to directly address and provide detailed explanations on topics that the public wants to know about or may have misunderstandings about." The press conference will provide a chance to reshape his obstinate style of leadership. With three years remaining in his single tenure and facing a sizable 192-seat opposition bloc in the National Assembly, the president would benefit from explaining contentious issues and gaining public empathy.