Opposition Party Files Complaint Against President Yoon for Kim Geon-hee's Undisclosed Jewelry Assets

Democratic Party Files Criminal Complaint Against President Yoon Over Alleged Omission of First Lady Kim Geon-hee's Jewelry Declaration

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The Democratic Party of Korea reiterated allegations of President Yoon Seok-yeol's wife Kim Geon-hee's failure to report jewelry and filed a complaint against President Yoon with the prosecution on the 7th regarding this matter.

Despite the fact that the jewelry worn by Mrs. Kim at the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit held in Spain last June was a high-priced item, raising questions about whether it was purchased, the presidential office's explanation was deemed unsatisfactory, leading to the decision to file a complaint against President Yoon.

The jewelry items in question raised by the Democratic Party include three pieces: a pendant valued at approximately 62 million KRW, a bracelet worth about 15 million KRW, and a brooch valued at around 26 million KRW.

The presidential office has explained in response to the Democratic Party's continuous concerns that "two of the three jewelry pieces were borrowed from acquaintances, and one was purchased from a small business owner, with the amounts not subject to reporting requirements."

Through a press release, the Democratic Party stated, "Although the presidential office claims the items were borrowed from acquaintances, photos showing the bracelet being worn at various events over several months have been found, making this explanation difficult to accept."

The Democratic Party initially announced plans to also file a complaint against Mrs. Kim with the prosecution but later corrected this statement.

Spokesperson Kim Ui-gyeom initially told reporters after the party's supreme council meeting that day, "The presidential office explained that Mrs. Kim borrowed the jewelry from an acquaintance, but to verify whether this is true, we plan to submit a complaint against Mrs. Kim." He added, "The complaint will also include whether there is any connection with the person who lent the jewelry, whether there was any compensation involved, and whether there is a conflict of interest."

However, Spokesperson Kim soon sent a message to reporters correcting the statement, saying, "Regarding the failure to report Mrs. Kim's jewelry assets, the subject of the prosecution complaint is not Mrs. Kim but President Yoon."

Spokesperson Kim further explained, "If the items were borrowed, from whom they were borrowed, and if the acquaintance who lent them has any job-related connection or if it was a free loan without compensation, more serious legal issues could arise considering the comprehensive nature of the president's duties and the absolute authority of the office."

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