First Lady Kim Jung-sook cleared of charges... Minjoo Party demands immediate halt to political retaliation investigation

Investigation Launched Following Complaint by People Power Party Councilor Lee Jongbae

The Democratic Party of Korea stated on the 7th that the prosecution's decision to dismiss charges regarding First Lady Kim Jung-sook's alleged 'extravagant trip to India' and 'possession of a Chanel jacket' should serve as an opportunity to immediately halt politically motivated investigations.

First Lady Kim Jung-sook. Photo by Yonhap News

Park Kyung-mi, the Democratic Party spokesperson, said in a written briefing that day, "Since the investigation was unreasonable from the start, this is a just and natural decision."

Spokesperson Park pointed out, "They deliberately ignored the official invitation letter from the Indian Prime Minister and treated the trip as an extravagant outing, causing international embarrassment," and added, "Despite the Chanel jacket being rented for a diplomatic event and returned, they even went as far as to investigate the Chanel headquarters in France."

She continued, "This stands in stark contrast to the clear dismissal of charges without proper investigation regarding the luxury bag received by First Lady Kim Kun-hee," and criticized, "While it is fortunate that the prosecution has now acknowledged the investigation was flawed, it is bitter to consider who will take responsibility for the resulting decline in national dignity."

She also emphasized, "Former Minister Cho Myung-gyun, who was indicted on 'blacklist' allegations, was acquitted in the first trial, and former Ulsan Mayor Song Cheol-ho and Assemblyman Hwang Un-ha of the Innovation Party were also acquitted of 'Ulsan mayoral election interference' charges," adding, "The results of these retaliatory investigations and indictments by the previous administration clearly show how wasteful the prosecution's actions have been."

She added, "The People Power Party has continuously used this case as a tool for political attacks," and said, "Now that the investigation has confirmed no charges, the People Power Party should bow their heads and apologize to First Lady Kim Jung-sook and the public."

The prosecution began investigating in June last year following a complaint and investigation request by Lee Jong-bae, a Seoul city councilor from the People Power Party, regarding First Lady Kim's trip to India and allegations of receiving luxury jackets.

After conducting a written investigation of the First Lady last month and interviewing multiple related parties to examine any illegality, the prosecution dismissed the charges. The prosecution explained, "In a case involving social controversy over the activities of a former president's spouse, criminal complaints were filed, and after investigating multiple related parties and securing evidence to clarify the facts and examine illegality, the accused was dismissed of charges."

This dismissal has put the People Power Party in an awkward position, as they were not only the first to file the complaint but also the party that escalated the case. Last year, People Power Party lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin revealed the delegation list from Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jong-hwan's visit to India in November 2018, claiming that First Lady Kim accompanied as a special aide and that the budget was wasted. In relation to this, First Lady Kim filed a defamation suit against lawmaker Bae.

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