Kim Ki-hyun Visited Yoon Couple After 2023 Party Convention
Admits to Gifting Luxury Roger Vivier Handbag
People Power Party Figures Say "Not a Bribe," "Calls for Resignation Are Excessive"
It has come to light that the wife of Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, previously gifted a luxury Roger Vivier handbag to First Lady Kim Keon-hee. In response, fellow party member Seong Iljong defended Kim, stating, "How can a bag worth around 1 million won be considered a bribe?"
On November 11, during an interview on KBS Radio's "Jeonggyeok Sisa," Seong Iljong remarked, "Since they were going to greet former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife, I assume Mrs. Kim purchased a bag of that value as a courtesy." He continued, "Is it really the job of the special prosecutor to connect a commonly priced bag worth about 1 million won to bribery?" He also targeted President Lee Jaemyung, saying, "He previously served as the opposition leader, didn't he? I think this is an act of public shaming that does not befit his stature."
Supreme Council member Kim Jaewon also commented during a November 10 interview on YTN's "Kim Junwoo's News Jeongmyeonseungbu," stating, "There was certainly some rallying of support during the party convention, which led to Kim's election and prevented Na Kyungwon from running, but would a single bag really have influenced the outcome?" He added, "I don't see giving a bag of that value as something shameful." Spokesperson Lee Junwoo, appearing on the same program, pointed out, "In the case of Choi Minhee, a member of the Democratic Party, the congratulatory money she received and returned was close to 10 million won. Doesn't that mean she must have received five or six congratulatory gifts worth 1 million won each?" He argued, "Calling for Kim's resignation is excessive."
On November 6, the special prosecutor's team investigating Kim Keon-hee searched the home of former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife, seizing the Roger Vivier handbag and a letter addressed to Kim's wife. In response, Kim Ki-hyun issued a statement on November 8, acknowledging, "After I was elected party leader at the People Power Party convention in March 2023, my wife gifted First Lady Kim a clutch bag." He emphasized that it was merely "a gift as a matter of social courtesy," denying any intent of quid pro quo or solicitation.
Kim's explanation drew criticism from within the party. On November 8, Shin Jiho, former Vice President for Strategy and Planning of the People Power Party, said during a YouTube interview on "Avengers Strategy Meeting," "Does that mean people without money cannot observe social etiquette? Kim Ki-hyun, answer that."
First Lady Kim Keon-hee has frequently been seen carrying Roger Vivier handbags at official events. In November 2022, she carried one at the G20 welcome banquet in Bali, Indonesia. She was also seen with the same product at the New Year's gathering for cultural and artistic figures in January of the following year.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
