Democratic Party "Clothing Cost Controversy Brings Painful Memories"... Retaliates Mentioning 'Nondureong Watch' Scandal

"People Power Party, curious about the intention behind provoking political strife"
"Spreading fake news knowing the precedent of not disclosing special activity funds"
"Isn't it a way for Yoon to recover low approval ratings?"

First Lady Kim Jung-sook delivers a congratulatory message via video at the ceremony commemorating the '2nd World Women Farmers Day' held on October 15 last year. / Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] The Democratic Party of Korea has collectively defended against allegations that the Blue House's special activity funds were used for the clothing expenses of First Lady Kim Jung-sook, wife of President Moon Jae-in, calling them "fake news." They referred to the past controversy over the so-called "Nondureong watch" related to the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, dismissing the accusations as "excessive defamation."

On the 30th, Yoon Ho-jung, Emergency Response Committee Chairman, said in an interview with MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" that "The Blue House has sufficiently explained the clothes said to have been used for First Lady Kim Jung-sook's events. Clothes that were sponsored or borrowed were returned or donated, and accessories were purchased with personal funds. The suspicions have been resolved."

He criticized the People Power Party's attacks on the First Lady's clothing, saying, "They seem to be spreading fake news like the Nondureong watch without revealing the details of the president's special activity expenses, which have not been disclosed until now."

Kim Sung-hwan, Policy Committee Chairman, mentioned the Nondureong watch controversy related to former President Roh Moo-hyun in an interview with KBS Radio's "Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs," saying, "Painful memories keep coming to mind when I see this controversy."

Chairman Kim said, "This was a representative case where the People Power Party tried to disgrace a former president by any means, and isn't the issue with the First Lady's clothing expenses the same? It seems like an attempt to make up for the fact that President Moon Jae-in's approval rating is higher than that of President-elect Yoon Seok-youl before his inauguration, but it is nothing more or less than excessive moral defamation."

Assemblyman Kang Byung-won also criticized on Facebook, saying, "False and fabricated information regarding First Lady Kim Jung-sook's clothing purchases has gone too far. The Blue House has already clearly stated that 'all were purchased with personal funds, and international event clothing was all donated or returned.'" He added, "I am truly curious about the People Power Party's intention in provoking political strife by labeling the First Lady as an immoral person by riding on fake news."

He continued, "How do the people view those who provoke political strife?" and lamented, "It is regrettable and frustrating that our politics is wasting time on such exhausting disputes."

This controversy arose after the civic group Korea Taxpayers Federation requested disclosure of the Blue House's special activity fund expenditures and First Lady Kim's protocol expenses in 2018. The Blue House refused to disclose the information, citing sensitive matters such as national security, leading to administrative litigation.

Subsequently, the court ruled on the 10th of last month to partially disclose information excluding personal data. However, the controversy continues as the Blue House filed an appeal with the court on the 2nd, opposing the ruling.

On the 29th, the Blue House dismissed the allegations regarding the First Lady's clothing expenses, stating, "No special activity funds or national budget were used for clothing purchases during the term, and all expenses were borne personally."

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