Top prosecutor vows to ‘respect’ results of review panel in first lady handbag case

Prosecutor General Lee One-seok said Monday that he will respect the upcoming conclusion by a panel of external private experts on first lady Kim Keon Hee's luxury handbag case.

Prosecutor General Lee One-seok, center, speaks to reporters before entering his office in Seocho District, southern Seoul, on Monday. [YONHAP]

Prosecutor General Lee One-seok said Monday that he will respect the upcoming conclusion by a panel of external private experts on first lady Kim Keon Hee's luxury handbag case.

Lee made the remarks after referring the case to the investigation review committee, an external body that deliberates on investigations of high public interest, last Friday. Earlier that week, he was briefed that an investigation team from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office decided not to seek charges against the first lady over her acceptance of a Dior handbag from a Korean American pastor in 2022.

"I believe the investigation review committee will fairly deliberate on [the case], including all legal principles, because there should not be any more of this wasteful controversy," Lee told reporters on his way to work, adding the prosecution intends to conclude the case more fairly and carefully by listening to the opinions from the outside.

Lee noted that the investigation review committee will be independently formed and operated.

"While serving as the prosecutor general, I have always respected the opinions of front-line prosecution investigation teams. Likewise, I will respect the opinions of the prosecution investigation team and the investigation review committee," said Lee, whose two-year term ends Sept. 15.

Lee said he thinks he will be able to wrap up the first lady's case during his tenure, considering the precedent of the investigation review committee. The committee is expected to be formed this week before beginning its activities in early September. Its conclusions are not binding.

Yonhap