SEOUL — An independent panel convened by the Supreme Prosecutors Office recommended on Friday not to indict First Lady Kim Keon Hee of South Korea for accepting a luxury Dior handbag worth approximately 3 million won ($2,248) from a Korean American pastor, amidst other lavish gifts.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the investigation review committee, composed of 15 external experts, concluded that there was insufficient basis for charges of graft, bribery, or any other criminal wrongdoing by the First Lady. This recommendation follows a four-month investigation by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office, which also opted to drop all charges, determining that the gifts were unrelated to the official duties of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The decision to refer the case to the review committee was made by Prosecutor General Lee One-seok, who emphasized the need for transparency and fairness in the investigation. During Friday’s session, which included presentations by the prosecution team and defense arguments by the First Lady’s lawyer, the committee deliberated over the evidence and arguments presented.
Notably absent from the meeting was Pastor Choi Jae-young, the donor of the gifts, who was denied attendance as he did not qualify as a victim or suspect in the review process. Choi has publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the panel’s decision, critiquing it for being one-sided and not adequately considering his claims that the gifts were intended to secure political favors.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office stated that it would consider the panel’s recommendations and the discussions held during the meeting before making a final decision on the case. Although the panel’s recommendation is influential, it is not binding on the prosecutors, who have the discretion to accept or reject the advice.
This case has drawn significant attention, highlighting the use of review committees in South Korea to ensure impartiality in politically sensitive investigations.