The First Lady's Dior Bag Causes Turmoil in South Korean Leadership

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) of South Korea is facing disarray due to a controversy surrounding allegations that the country's First Lady, Kim Keon Hee, accepted a luxury bag as a gift. The scandal emerged after spy camera footage was released, showing a pastor presenting a Christian Dior bag to her. Some analysts believe that this scandal jeopardizes the PPP's prospects in the upcoming April elections. Polls indicate that voters are demanding an explanation from President Yoon Suk Yeol, while the opposition is using the issue to attack him. The video was reportedly filmed secretly by the pastor, Choi Jae-young, using a camera embedded in his watch. It showed Choi purchasing the bag and then visiting Covana Contents, a company owned by the first lady. Although the video doesn't explicitly show her accepting the gift, the presidential office confirmed receiving it and stated that it was being managed as government property. President Yoon's office plans to address the issue this month. A recent poll revealed that 69% of eligible voters in the country want an explanation from the president regarding his wife's actions, and a previous poll indicated that 53% believed her behavior to be inappropriate. This scandal is unfolding just three months before the legislative elections and coincides with a slight increase in President Yoon's approval ratings. Political analysts describe it as a "political bombshell." The opposition Democratic Party has seized the opportunity to criticize both President Yoon and the PPP. South Korean law prohibits public officials and their spouses from receiving gifts worth over 1m won at one time or 3m won within a fiscal year. The scandal has also caused divisions within President Yoon's party, leading to calls for the party's leader, Han Dong-hoon, to resign. However, their relationship appears to have been mended, and Han remains with the party. President Yoon's initial reaction to the scandal may have had political consequences, as he is criticized for his handling of the situation. The scandal is just the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the country's First Lady, who has faced allegations of stock price manipulation. Recently, President Yoon vetoed a bill calling for an investigation into these allegations. Last year, Seoul's government canceled an expressway project after allegations emerged that it would financially benefit the First Lady's family.