President Yoon Plans to Speak Out on First Lady’s Luxury Bag Allegations

A report came out on the 24th that President Yoon Suk Yeol was expected to personally address the controversy surrounding his wife Kim Keon Hee’s alleged receipt of luxury bags as early as this month.

The format will likely be a New Year’s interview with a specific media outlet, where the President will share his plans for running the country and directly address the controversy surrounding Mrs. Kim.

An official at the presidential office told Yonhap News in a phone call, “It is time for the President to make a stand,” and “We decided that an interview format is more suitable than a New Year’s press conference.”

When President Yoon mentions the suspicion of Mrs. Kim’s luxury bag receipt in the interview, he is expected to clarify the situation and seek the public’s understanding. There’s also a high possibility that he will propose institutional measures such as establishing an additional ancillary office or appointing a special inspector to prevent the recurrence of such controversies.

However, it was also reported that he would emphasize that Mrs. Kim is a victim of political manipulation and criminal behavior, including someone secretly filming her while pretending to have a close relationship with her late father. KBS is mentioned as the broadcaster for the interview. However, the final confirmation is yet to be made, and the format is flexible, according to the presidential office.

Thus, while President Yoon will stand before the public, it is expected that Mrs. Kim will not directly come forward and express her position, although some have demanded it.

President Yoon decided to explain the controversy surrounding Mrs. Kim personally because public opinion has grown to demand that a clear position be taken in some form.

Moreover, it is known that the decision considered the fact that the National Assembly is set to re-vote on the so-called “Double Special Prosecution Bill,” including the “Bill on Special Prosecution of Kim Keon Hee” and the “Bill on Special Prosecution of the 50 Billion Club,” which President Yoon exercised his right of re-examination (veto) on, in a plenary session on the 1st of next month.

It is also interpreted that the decision took into account the fact that Yoon’s conflict with Han Dong Hoon, the emergency measures chairman of the People Power Party, which was triggered by this incident, was somewhat alleviated as they jointly inspected the fire scene at the Seocheon Special Market the previous day.