Democratic Party "Famous Foreign Media Reports on 'Kim Geon-hee Luxury Bag'"

The Democratic Party of Korea criticized that the controversy over the luxury handbag received by Kim Keon-hee, wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol, is being reported by foreign media, saying, "The national dignity of the Republic of Korea is endlessly falling."

At a National Assembly briefing on the 27th, Chief Spokesperson Kwon Chil-seung stated, "Famous foreign media outlets have unanimously covered the 'allegation of Kim Keon-hee receiving a luxury handbag,'" and added, "Now, not only 70% of the public but also major foreign media are expressing concern."

Video related to the 'Kim Geon-hee Madam luxury bag receipt suspicion' that appeared at the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

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He continued, "The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), a global economic newspaper known for its hardline conservative stance, published an article saying, 'A $2,200 Dior bag is shaking South Korea,'" and "British Reuters also reported an interview with Pastor Choi Young-jae, who said, 'The luxury gift was like a ticket, a pass to meet Mrs. Kim.'"

Chief Spokesperson Kwon said, "Following 'incompetent diplomacy,' 'humiliating diplomacy,' and 'empty-handed diplomacy,' now the international disgrace has spread properly with just one 'Kim Keon-hee luxury handbag,'" and expressed, "I am deeply concerned about the status of President Yoon and the Republic of Korea, who must stand again on the international diplomatic stage."

He urged, "President Yoon should no longer ignore the demands of the people," and warned, "The more you try to brush aside the public's suspicions carelessly, the more the dignity of the Republic of Korea will fall together."

English-language media outlets are focusing on the internal conflicts within the People Power Party sparked by the controversy over Kim's luxury handbag ahead of the April general election, closely watching the impact on the election and the ripple effects of the situation.

On the 23rd, the WSJ published an article titled "A $2,200 Dior Handbag Shakes South Korea's Ruling Party," reporting, "This controversy, triggered by a video, has recently intensified amid South Korea's highly polarized political atmosphere."

The WSJ noted that the luxury handbag controversy "is presenting another political problem to President Yoon, who has been struggling with job approval ratings amid economic recession and rising prices."

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