[Reporter’s Notebook] The More the Blue House Explains, the More Controversy Grows

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The controversy surrounding First Lady Kim Jung-sook's clothing expenses is escalating. The Blue House directly explained the clothing expense controversy as being paid out of personal funds, and Tak Hyun-min, the Blue House Protocol Secretary, appeared on a radio program stating that the purchases were made by credit card. However, testimony has now emerged claiming that traditional Korean dresses (hanbok) were purchased with bundles of cash.

According to a report by a media outlet, after entering the Blue House, the First Lady purchased six hanbok and 15 pairs of shoes, paying the full amount in cash. The cash was handed over in an envelope by a Blue House secretary. Although the store accepted credit card payments, cash was deliberately used. This contradicts the previous explanation that the purchases were made by credit card. The cash envelope also naturally brings to mind the opposition party's ongoing allegations regarding the use of special activity funds.

However, the Blue House explained even this by saying it was "purchased with personal funds." A Blue House official said in a phone call, "It is 100% personal funds. We say this confidently." Regarding the criticism that cash purchases contradict Secretary Tak's previous explanation, the official said, "It is true that there are conflicting parts. Most purchases were made by credit card, but there were also cash payments."

The Blue House also described Secretary Tak's statement about "card payment" as merely a colloquial expression. Since individuals usually use credit cards for payments, he used that expression in a colloquial sense.

However, reconsidering this statement suggests that both Secretary Tak and the Blue House officials somewhat acknowledge that cash expenditures are far from "ordinary personal payments." This implies that the perception of "ordinary payment = card" is more reasonable.

Secretary Tak said, "Don't open someone else's wardrobe," but most citizens do not consider the First Lady as "someone else." Known by the nickname "Cheerful Jeongsook," the First Lady has emphasized her affinity with the public. The Blue House's unreasonable explanations are instead fueling suspicions.

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