SEOUL — South Korea’s Supreme Prosecutors Office’s investigation review committee met on Friday to consider whether First Lady Kim Keon Hee should be indicted for accepting a luxury handbag and other gifts from a Korean American pastor. The case has attracted significant public and media attention due to its implications on the presidential office.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the deliberations focus on allegations that in 2022, the First Lady illegally received gifts, including a Dior handbag valued at 3 million won (approximately US$2,248), from Pastor Choi Jae-young. The review follows a four-month investigation by prosecutors who ultimately recommended dropping charges related to graft and bribery, concluding the gifts did not pertain to President Yoon Suk Yeol’s official duties.
Prosecutor General Lee One-seok escalated the case to the review committee to promote fairness in the investigative outcomes. During the session, the prosecution team outlined their reasons for advising against charges, while the First Lady’s lawyer presented her defense.
Pastor Choi, who has been vocal about his exclusion from the proceedings, held a press conference outside the prosecutor’s office. He criticized the process as unfairly biased towards the First Lady and reiterated his claim that the gifts were intended to secure governmental favors.
The review committee, consisting of 15 external experts, is expected to announce its decision late Friday. While the prosecutors must consider the committee’s guidance, they are not bound by its recommendations, maintaining discretion over the final decision. This approach is part of a broader effort to ensure impartiality in cases that bear political sensitivity.