First lady handbag allegations leave presidential office torn

The presidential office is in a pinch over what to do about the allegations that first lady Kim Keon Hee received a luxury bag as a gift in 2022, as the issue remains unresolved despite resolving the spat with PPP chief Han Dong-hoon.

Presidential chief of staff Lee Kwan-sup speaks during a press briefing on a presidential appointment at the Yongsan presidential office on Thursday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

The presidential office is in a pinch over what to do about the allegations that first lady Kim Keon Hee received a luxury bag as a gift in 2022, as the issue remains unresolved despite the spat with People Power Party (PPP) interim chief Han Dong-hoon appearing contained for the time being.

While the unexpected discord between President Yoon Suk Yeol and Han, his longtime confidant, appeared to have been resolved swiftly through their joint visit to a traditional market in Seocheon County, South Chungcheong, the site of a major fire, on Tuesday, the crux of the controversy has not been resolved at all.

Media reports Wednesday indicated that the president has been considering explaining his stance as early as this month. This could involve a televised interview rather than a press conference, especially considering the issue could negatively sway public sentiment if it drags on to the April general elections.

However, the JoongAng Ilbo reported Thursday that presidential chief of staff Lee Kwan-sup expressed frustration more than such reports during a staff meeting earlier that morning, urging against responding to "speculative reports" and saying that "nothing has been decided yet."

Lee reportedly met with Han on Sunday and delivered a request for him to step down as chief of the PPP's emergency steering committee, apparently displeased with how the former justice minister has handled the allegations surrounding the first lady and election nominations. Han immediately turned down the request for his resignation, fueling speculation of a falling-out between the president and his trusted junior prosecutor colleague.

Some members of the conservative PPP have called for the president to make clear his position on the allegations Kim received a Christian Dior handbag valued at around 3 million won ($2,240) as a gift from a Korean American pastor in September 2022, first reported on Nov. 29 by a liberal YouTube news channel, Voice of Seoul.

The pastor secretly filmed the exchange using a hidden camera, and the YouTube channel that released the footage reportedly provided the bag.

Last week, Han said on the allegations that "there is something for the public to worry about" and that it is a "matter to think about from the public's perspective," likely to the president's ire.

People Power Party (PPP) interim leader Han Dong-hoon speaks at a meeting at the National Assembly in western Seoul on Thursday. [YONHAP]

On Thursday, Han reiterated to reporters at the PPP headquarters in Yeouido that his "position has not changed" regarding the handbag controversy, indicating he was not backing down on last week's remarks.

According to a poll by Embrain Public released Wednesday, 69 percent of respondents said the president needs to clarify his stance on Kim's handbag controversy.

The poll, conducted on 1,000 men and women over the age of 18 nationwide from Sunday to Monday, indicated that just 26 percent of respondents said they didn't think a response was necessary.

Some members of the PPP have been saying that the first lady's "risk" factor should be addressed by the president sooner than later, indicating the issue may no longer be swept under the rug, as the issue can influence public sentiment with less than three months left until the April 10 parliamentary elections.

Other PPP members who are a part of the pro-Yoon faction, in turn, have called for the resignation or apology of Kim Gyeong-ryul, a member of the PPP's emergency steering committee, who has been outspoken on the first lady controversy.

Han supported Kim's bid to run in Mapo District, western Seoul, against a sitting Democratic Party (DP) lawmaker for the general elections. This left some PPP members displeased with the interim chairman for opting for such a "private" nomination process, ignoring proper procedures.

Han has rejected speculation that the presidential office has requested Kim's resignation.

Presidential officials are also reportedly split on how to handle the First Lady controversy. Some say Yoon should publicly express regret, while others oppose actions that could potentially blow up the issue.

A senior presidential official said Wednesday that Yoon is reviewing "several options" on communicating with the media, including regarding the allegations against the first lady, but has not decided yet.

Yoon has yet to hold a traditional presidential New Year's press conference with the media, with the Lunar New Year set for mid-February. Some other proposals for communicating with media to mark the New Year by the presidential office include an interview with a news outlet, such as public broadcaster KBS, or a more casual meeting with reporters more than kimchi stew.

The liberal DP called for an investigation into the luxury handbag allegations.

"This is not something that will end with an apology, but should be investigated by prosecution," Hong Ihk-pyo, the DP's floor leader, said in a meeting at the National Assembly Thursday.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]