Lee, the wife of Assemblyman Kim Ki-hyun, who is suspected of giving a luxury bag to First Lady Kim Gun-hee in exchange for support in the People Power Party leadership election, appeared once again before the Min Joong-gi Special Prosecutor Team on December 27, 2025.
At approximately 9:30 a.m. that day, Lee arrived at the special prosecutor's office located in the KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, Seoul, as a suspect. This was her second in-person questioning, following the previous one on December 5. She proceeded directly to the interrogation room without responding to reporters' questions regarding the circumstances of the bag delivery or whether it was given in exchange for favors.
The special prosecutor's team is conducting additional investigations into the specific circumstances under which Lee delivered a Roger Vivier clutch bag worth 2.6 million won to the First Lady in March 2023. It is expected that both Assemblyman Kim and his wife will be indicted before the investigation deadline on December 28, 2025.
Kim Ki-hyun Lawmaker's Wife Under Special Prosecutor Investigation Again(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Choi Jaegu = On the 27th, Lee, the wife of Kim Ki-hyun, a lawmaker of the People Power Party, was summoned for the second time by the Min Joong-gi Special Prosecutor Team at the KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, Seoul, investigating allegations of receiving a Roger Vivier clutch bag related to First Lady Kim Kun-hee. 2025.12.27
jjaeck9@yna.co.kr (End)
Lee is accused of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act by delivering the bag to the First Lady after Assemblyman Kim won the People Power Party leadership election on March 8, 2023.
Last month, during a search and seizure of the former president's residence, the special prosecutor's team secured the bag in question and a thank-you letter. They determined that the bag was purchased on March 16 and delivered on March 17, 2023.
The special prosecutor's team suspects that the bag may have been provided as a reward for the First Lady's alleged assistance in helping over 2,400 Unification Church members join the party to support Assemblyman Kim's election. Evidence has emerged that the payment for the bag was withdrawn from Assemblyman Kim's salary account, leading to his designation as a suspect as well.
While Assemblyman Kim has acknowledged the delivery of the bag, he maintains that it was a "socially customary gift" and denies any quid pro quo. However, the special prosecutor's team has obtained records showing that Lee visited Assemblyman Kim's office on the day the bag was delivered, and is investigating whether Assemblyman Kim was aware of the gift.
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