In a rare interview, the South Korean president said his wife had been ‘unable to cold-heartedly reject’ a pastor who gifted her a US$2,200 Dior bag. He also dismissed claims he was sacrificing ties with China.
Months ahead of crucial elections, South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol hit with controversy involving first lady and an expensive blue calfskin Dior bag, Maroosha Muzaffar reports
Late last year, left-wing YouTube channel Voice of Seoul published a video that purportedly showed first lady Kim Keon Hee accepting a 3m won ($2,200; £1,800) Dior bag from a pastor, who filmed the exchange in September 2022 using a camera concealed in his watch.
The video of Kim, which emerged late last year, has caused a rift between Yoon and one of his most trusted lieutenants. It has roiled his political party one senior member called on Kim to apologize and compared her to Marie Antoinette. And, polls show, it has become a significant issue before crucial parliamentary elections in an increasingly polarized political atmosphere.
Hidden camera footage apparently showing South Korea's first lady accepting a luxury designer handbag has engulfed President Yoon Suk Yeol in controversy, threatening his party's April election prospects.The "Dior bag scandal" has hit Yoon's already-low approval ratings, which analysts say could hurt his party's prospects in April.