Kim Ki-hyun on Bag Found at Yoon's Residence: "My Wife Gifted It to Kim Keon-hee as a Courtesy to the First Lady"

"Gift Was a Courtesy Between Spouses After Election as Party Leader... No Reason for Solicitation"

Kim Ki-hyun, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, stated on the 8th regarding the Roger Vivier clutch bag found at the home of former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, "After I was elected as party leader in March 2023, my wife gave one clutch bag as a gift to First Lady Kim Keon-hee."

Kim Ki-hyun, member of the People Power Party (left), and First Lady Kim Keon-hee

Previously, on the 6th, Special Prosecutor Min Junggi's team conducted a search and seizure at the residence of former President Yoon and his wife in connection with suspicions of preferential treatment in the construction work for the presidential residence relocation. The special prosecutor reportedly secured more than 20 Christian Dior items, as well as a Roger Vivier clutch bag suspected to have been given by a People Power Party politician.

In response, Assemblyman Kim issued a statement saying, "As the spouse of the new ruling party leader, it was a socially customary gesture to present a gift to the First Lady."

He added, "Believing that it is necessary for the ruling party leader and the president to cooperate smoothly in their work, my wife included a simple note with a message of goodwill."

Assemblyman Kim emphasized, "Neither I, as the newly elected party leader, nor my wife had any requests to make to former President Yoon and his wife, nor was there any reason to do so. The gift my wife gave to Mrs. Kim was simply a matter of customary courtesy between spouses, nothing more and nothing less."

He continued, "I hope that Special Prosecutor Min Junggi is not engaging in media manipulation to divert attention from the public criticism he is facing over allegations of stock investment fraud."

According to legal sources, the special prosecutor's team sent investigators to Acro Vista in Seocho-gu, where the former president's residence is located, the day before the search and seizure, and confiscated 16 Dior jackets, 7 belts, and 4 bracelets.

Initially, the special prosecutor's team obtained a warrant specifying the seizure of all Dior products at the residence and attempted to secure dozens of items at once. However, after objections from Mrs. Kim's side, only selected items were taken following discussions with her legal team.