Wearing Luxury Watches Worth More Than Double His Salary... Peruvian President Faces 'Rolex Scandal' Embarrassment

Wearing at least 14 watches alternately over 2 years
Some products are luxury items worth over 18 million won
Suspicion grows despite explanation of "purchased earlier"
Peru prosecutors launch preliminary investigation into acquisition circumstances

The President of Peru appeared at an official event wearing a luxury watch of unknown acquisition origin, which has now become the subject of a preliminary investigation by the prosecution. On the 19th (local time), the Peruvian Prosecutor's Office announced that it had launched a preliminary investigation into allegations against President Dina Boluarte regarding illegal asset accumulation and failure to declare public officials' assets. In a press release, the prosecution stated, "We will examine whether there is any criminal suspicion in the use of President Boluarte's Rolex watch."

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte appeared at an official event wearing a luxury watch of unknown origin, which has since become the subject of a preliminary investigation by prosecutors.
[Photo by UPI·Yonhap News]

Last week, the local internet media outlet 'La Enserona' reported the results of an analysis of over 10,000 photos officially taken by the government and distributed to the public or archived since Boluarte's inauguration as Vice President on July 28, 2021. According to the outlet, "President Boluarte wore at least 14 different watches over approximately two years," and "especially in the middle of last year, it was confirmed that she frequently wore Rolex watches."

La Enserona added that some of the watches have a consumer price of about $14,000 (approximately 18.75 million KRW). However, suspicions arose that "some of the watches might not have been included in the public officials' asset declarations," rapidly fueling controversy over the legality of their acquisition. The local daily El Mercurio reported that the Peruvian audit department initially explained that detailed asset information other than cars did not need to be specified in income declarations but later retracted this statement.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte held a meeting in Berlin on October 13 last year. In this photo as well, President Boluarte is wearing a luxury watch on her left wrist.
[Photo by EPA·Yonhap News]

Concerns were also raised that the President and Vice President's salaries would be insufficient to cover the cost of purchasing the watches. During her vice presidency, Boluarte concurrently served as Minister of Social Development and received a monthly salary of $8,136 (approximately 10.89 million KRW). Currently, as President, she receives a monthly salary of $4,200 (approximately 5.62 million KRW).

As the controversy grew, President Boluarte explained, "I bought them a long time ago," and stated, "I am a person far from corruption, and what I have is the result of my efforts since I was 18 years old." Boluarte, the first female president in Peru's history, has been leading the government since December 7, 2022, following the impeachment of former President Pedro Castillo.

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