Jeon Yeo-ok: "Kim Geon-hee as Marie Antoinette? Regretful Comparison"

"Antoinette is a Victim of Fake News"

Kim Kyung-yul, an emergency committee member of the People Power Party, compared First Lady Kim Geon-hee to Marie Antoinette, the queen of King Louis XVI of France, sparking a heated debate within the ruling party.

Former Assemblywoman Jeon Yeo-ok [Photo by Yonhap News]

Former lawmaker Jeon Yeo-ok wrote on her blog on the 20th under the title "Kim Kyung-yul, emergency committee member, calling her Marie Antoinette?" stating, "(Marie Antoinette) was the most unjust victim of witch hunts and public shaming. In that regard, I deeply regret Kim Kyung-yul’s comparison of First Lady Kim Geon-hee to Marie Antoinette."

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Riding in the Official Vehicle
Photo by Yonhap News

Jeon further argued, "Marie Antoinette suffered from accusations of extravagance and immoral behavior, but all were fake news. She lived frugally with her husband Louis XVI, and the scandalous rumors involving her brother-in-law were all lies." She added, "France and Austria were hostile like Korea and Japan. Marie Antoinette, in our terms, was like a 'Japanese princess married into the Joseon royal family.'" She then appealed for conservative and right-wing unity, saying, "Only a landslide victory in the general election can protect this country."

Earlier, on the 17th, Kim Kyung-yul appeared on JTBC’s YouTube channel 'Jangreman Yeouido' and, regarding the allegations surrounding First Lady Kim Geon-hee such as 'stock manipulation suspicions' and 'luxury handbag bribery suspicions,' said, "If we weigh the severity, the 'Dior bag' is definitely a serious issue."

He said, "Both are inappropriate, but only regarding this (Dior bag) at this point, clearly revealing the truth and having the president or the first lady express their position is the way to calm the public’s mind." He then referenced Marie Antoinette, known as the epitome of vanity, who met a tragic end during the 18th-century French Revolution, stating "As her extravagance and promiscuous lifestyle were revealed one by one, the public’s emotions exploded. I believe this incident also touched the public’s emotions."

On the other hand, Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, maintained the stance that the luxury handbag allegations against the first lady are a 'political conspiracy.' Yoon told reporters at the National Assembly, "At yesterday’s party meeting, I said that if we forget the essence and talk about it, we fall into the trap set by those who orchestrated political conspiracies, so I hope people understand the essence clearly and respond accordingly." He added, "As floor leader, I am considering how to respond to unfair political attacks."

Previously, the online media outlet 'Seoul Voice' released a video last year on its YouTube channel showing First Lady Kim Geon-hee apparently receiving a luxury brand 'Dior' bag from Pastor Choi Jae-young, known as a U.S. citizen, at the Acrovista Cobana Contents office in Seocho-dong, Seoul, on September 13 of last year.

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