First lady Kim Keon Hee, second from left, arrives at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, to depart for Turkmenistan, Monday. Yonhap
The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission is facing a major backlash from opposition parties following its decision to close its review regarding first lady Kim Keon Hee's luxury handbag scandal, citing the lack of a punishment clause for public officials' spouses under the anti-graft act.
Kim was accused of improperly receiving a Christian Dior luxury handbag worth 3 million won ($2,178) from a Korean American pastor named Choi Jae-young, who conspired with YouTube-based media outlet Voice of Seoul to secretly film his meeting with Kim in 2022.
The decision comes nearly six months after a civic group called People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy filed a corruption complaint with the commission against President Yoon Suk Yeol and the first lady as well as the pastor on charges of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act in December.
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lashed out at the commission's decision to clear Kim of graft charges, vowing to push ahead with a special probe into the luxury bag scandal and other suspicions involving the first lady.
“Was the commission's decision to close the case a farewell gift for the first lady, who embarked on her weeklong trip to Central Asia alongside the president?” Rep. Yoon Jong-kun of the DPK asked in a statement, pointing out that the outcome was made public hours after the presidential couple left for Turkmenistan.
“The DPK will swiftly push for a special counsel probe into cases involving Kim to prevent her from running away.”
Civic group People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy holds a press conference protesting the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission's decision to close the case regarding first lady Kim Keon Hee's luxury handbag scandal in front of the commission's building in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
Prosecutor General Lee One-seok said prosecutors will continue with their investigation into the case in accordance with the law. Apart from the anti-corruption agency's investigation, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office has also been looking into the case.
“The prosecution is committed to investigating based on evidence and legal principles, without considering political factions or vested interests,” he told reporters, Tuesday.
Rep. Cho Kuk, leader of the minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party, criticized the commission's decision.
“Although there is no provision for public officials' children under the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, my daughter was found guilty in court for receiving a scholarship for graduate school,” he wrote on Facebook, Tuesday.
The Reform Party also condemned the commission for reaching “a hasty, unreasonable and senseless conclusion.”
“It's deeply regrettable that the commission, which is supposed to be the last bastion against corruption, has failed to play its role. It should serve the people, not the president,” the party's chief spokesperson Kim Seong-yeol said in a statement.
Meanwhile, People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy denounced the commission's decision, arguing that it demonstrates a complete disregard for the common understanding that public officials — including their spouses — should not accept money, valuables or other benefits under any circumstances.