Gominjeong: "Kim Jung-sook Wears Reformed Clothes... Special Activity Fund Suspicion, Ridiculous"

"A Transparent Tactic to Tarnish Morality"

Ko Min-jung, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Go Minjung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the various allegations raised regarding the protocol expenses of Kim Jung-sook, the wife of President Moon Jae-in, saying, "It shows very obvious tactics and patterns aimed at tarnishing morality."

In an interview with YTN Radio on the 29th, Rep. Go rebutted, "There was a major controversy about the use of special activity funds toward the end of the Park Geun-hye administration, but common sense tells us that the Moon Jae-in administration would not have spent money like that."

Having served as a spokesperson for the Blue House, Rep. Go stated, "Today, the Blue House clearly denied the allegations and confirmed that the purchases were made with personal funds," adding, "For example, (Mrs. Kim) often reforms or redesigns existing clothes. She once received a scarf as a gift in India and had it remade into a blouse to wear."

She continued, "Perhaps because her mother was a fabric merchant, she is very skilled and has a good sense for such things," and said, "Having seen her reform and remake clothes many times up close, these articles are quite laughable." She added, "(Why are such articles coming out now?) It inevitably reminds one of incidents involving Kwon Yang-sook, the wife of former President Roh Moo-hyun. I hope people remember that many citizens also recall the time of President Roh."

Earlier, the Korea Taxpayers Association filed two requests in 2018 to the Blue House for disclosure of special activity fund expenditures and protocol expenses for the President and Mrs. Kim. However, when the Blue House refused citing national security reasons, the association filed an administrative lawsuit.

On the 10th of last month, the court ruled to disclose all information except personal data, but the Blue House appealed the decision on the 2nd.

As controversy over Mrs. Kim’s protocol expenses continued, the Blue House dismissed the allegations, stating that "all expenses were borne personally." Shin Hye-hyun, deputy spokesperson of the Blue House, said at a Chunghwagwan briefing, "During the term, no national budget such as special activity funds was used for clothing purchases, and all expenses were paid personally. Claims about the use of special activity funds are groundless and completely untrue."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.