Police to Investigate Kim Jeong-sook's 'Clothing Cost Controversy' Case on the 11th

First Lady Kim Jung-sook [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The police will summon the accuser in the case of the protocol expense allegations involving First Lady Kim Jung-sook, wife of President Moon Jae-in, for questioning on the 11th.

According to investigative authorities on the 6th, the Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency plans to summon Kim Soon-hwan, Secretary General of the civic group Committee for the People's Livelihood Measures, as an accuser for questioning that afternoon. This investigation will cover three cases previously filed by the group. The group had filed a complaint against First Lady Kim on the 25th of last month, accusing her of embezzlement in the course of duty, and on the 28th of the same month, requested additional investigation on charges of spreading false information and obstruction of business. On the 3rd, related to these allegations, the group additionally filed complaints against Kim's regular designer Yang Hae-il, CEO of Haeil, Kim Hae-ja, CEO of Nubi Workshop, and Jeon Tae-soo, CEO of JS Shoes Design Research Institute, on charges including the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act and tax evasion.

The allegations regarding First Lady Kim's protocol expenses center on claims that the Blue House's special activity funds included costs for clothes and accessories she wore during overseas trips. The issue arose after the Seoul Administrative Court's Administrative Division 5 (Chief Judge Jeong Sang-gyu) in February ruled to cancel the 2018 decision to withhold information and ordered partial disclosure to the Taxpayers Federation, prompting the Blue House to appeal. As the controversy intensified, the Blue House stated that First Lady Kim purchased the clothes and accessories with her personal funds. However, as the policy of non-disclosure of special activity funds was maintained, the controversy did not subside, and the civic group subsequently submitted a petition for a search and seizure of the Blue House, urging an investigation.