Top prosecutor hands over first lady handbag case to investigation review committee

The prosecutor general on Friday referred first lady Kim Keon Hee’s luxury handbag case to the investigation review committee, following the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office concluding a three-month probe that found Kim faces no charges.

Prosecutor General Lee One-seok, center, arrives at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho District, southern Seoul, on Friday. [YONHAP]

The prosecutor general on Friday referred first lady Kim Keon Hee’s luxury handbag case to the investigation review committee, following the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office concluding a three-month probe that found Kim faces no charges.

The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office announced that Prosecutor General Lee One-seok decided to hand the case over to the committee to ensure a thorough review by a panel of external private experts.

The review committee, an external body that reviews investigations of high public interest, consists of 15 experts randomly selected from a pool of 300 members. Its recommendations, however, are not binding.

While Lee acknowledged that the investigation team at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office had thoroughly evaluated the evidence and carefully considered the legal interpretations, he opted for a committee review to conclude the case in a manner that "leaves no room for further debate," given the high public interest and controversy surrounding it, according to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.

A presidential official said the presidential office would "watch" how the process unfolds regarding the decision.

On Thursday, the head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office briefed the top prosecutor on the results of the probe, concluding that the first lady faces no charges related to the luxury handbag scandal.

The prosecutors determined that the $2,200 Christian Dior bag and other gifts Kim received from Korean American pastor Choi Jae-young were not connected to any of the president’s official duties, nor were they given in exchange for any favors.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]