'Kim Gun-hee Luxury Bag' Review Committee to be Held on the 6th of Next Month... Possible Decision on Indictment on the Same Day

The investigation review committee (IRC) on the necessity of indicting Mrs. Kim Geon-hee in the luxury handbag acceptance case is expected to announce its deliberation results as early as the 6th of next month. However, the IRC's opinion is only a recommendation, and the final decision will be made by the prosecution.

Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok / Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

According to the legal community on the 27th, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Investigation Review Committee plans to hold a meeting on the 6th of next month to deliberate whether it is necessary to indict Mrs. Kim for violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, bribery, or the Attorney-at-Law Act. It is known that the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office investigation team and Mrs. Kim's legal representatives will attend the meeting to present their positions. Additionally, Pastor Choi Jae-young, who gave the luxury bag to Mrs. Kim, may also attend.

Previously, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office investigation team concluded that since the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act does not include punishment provisions for spouses, and there was no job-relatedness or quid pro quo in the gifts Mrs. Kim received, it is difficult to hold her legally responsible. In response, Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok evaluated that "evidence assessment and legal interpretation were faithfully conducted," but also stated on the 23rd that "it is desirable to enhance fairness and resolve the matter so that no further controversy remains," and convened the IRC ex officio. This is interpreted as his intention to make a final decision on the luxury handbag case before his term expires on September 15.

The IRC is an organization operated to enhance public trust in the procedures and results of prosecution investigations, deliberating on whether to indict in cases where public suspicion arises or social attention is focused. While its recommendations are not mandatory, they carry advisory authority. The meetings are held privately, and the disclosure and timing of the adopted deliberation opinions are autonomously decided by the committee members. The conclusion is expected to be disclosed on the day of the meeting at the earliest.