Hong Ik-pyo: "Kim Gun-hee's luxury bag issue not resolved by apology... Prosecution must investigate"

Criticism of 'Luxury Bag Bribery'... "Disregard for the Law"
Recall of 'Luxury Shopping' Controversy During Lithuania Visit
"Presidential Office's Illegal Acts, Government and Ruling Party Neglect"

Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the controversy surrounding the 'luxury bag acceptance' involving Kim Geon-hee, the wife of President Yoon Seok-yeol, saying, "This is not something that should end with an apology; it requires a prosecution investigation."

On the morning of the 25th, at a policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly, Floor Leader Hong said, "(The luxury bag acceptance controversy) has been continuously neglected, and it is really absurd that the presidential office and the ruling party are saying that an apology would be the end of it," adding, "How lightly do they take the law to think that if they agree among themselves, the application of the law can be exempted?"

Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 18th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

He continued, "Previously, there was controversy over wearing jewelry worth tens of millions of won during overseas (diplomatic) visits, and it was said that it was borrowed from an acquaintance, but even borrowing itself constitutes bribery," pointing out, "High-priced jewelry is leased or rented, and the costs are paid accordingly."

He especially recalled local media reports that Kim Geon-hee went shopping at a luxury store in Lithuania during a diplomatic visit in July last year, saying, "It would have been better if the First Lady had simply said she went there as part of a cultural exploration." He added, "It did not meet the public's expectations, and when an apology would have sufficed, they instead falsely explained it as solicitation. Lies beget lies, and when such lies are repeated, illegal acts are committed."

Floor Leader Hong said, "The presidential office is committing falsehoods and illegal acts without any concern, and the government and ruling party are neglecting this," and added, "I sincerely hope they live fairly and reasonably."