The Dior Saga: How This Luxury Handbag Sparked One Of South Korea's Biggest Political Scandals

Last Updated:December 06, 2024, 17:12 IST

The scandal has resurfaced at a time when pressure is mounting for President Yoon's impeachment, following his decision to declare martial law on Tuesday night

South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee disembark from an aircraft. (AFP file photo)

In South Korea, a luxury Dior handbag has become the centre of one of the country’s most controversial political scandals, potentially marking a tipping point for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s political career.

The scandal has resurfaced at a time when pressure is mounting for President Yoon’s impeachment, following his decision to declare martial law on Tuesday night, only to be forced into a U-turn after lawmakers voted to overturn the measure.

Although the Dior handbag incident began in 2022, it was not until November 2023 that it truly entered the spotlight, escalating into a political storm earlier this year.

The handbag, which initially appeared to be a simple gift has now sparked a heated debate, threatening to undermine the credibility of both President Yoon and his wife, First Lady Kim Keon Hee.

What Is The Dior Bag Scandal?

The scandal began when a video surfaced in November 2023, showing Kim Keon Hee accepting a Dior handbag worth around 3 million won (approximately $2,250 or Rs 1,90,000).

The footage, recorded in 2022 by a pastor named Choi Jae-young, showed Kim receiving the gift at an office linked to her. Choi, who is known for opposing President Yoon’s policies, filmed the exchange using a hidden camera disguised as a watch, NDTV reported.

In the video, Kim is heard expressing reluctance about receiving such an expensive gift, saying, “Why do you keep bringing these?" and adding, “Never buy something expensive like this."

Despite Kim’s comments in the video, the incident remained relatively quiet until it was published a year later on a left-leaning political website. The timing of the video’s release raised suspicions, with many questioning whether the First Lady had knowingly accepted the gift or was being targeted by political opponents.

A “Pay-to-Play" Scandal?

The video reignited public debate, reminding many South Koreans of previous scandals where individuals used their proximity to power for personal gain. Opposition parties quickly labelled the gift as a bribe, calling for an independent investigation into the matter. Although prosecutors cleared Kim of any criminal wrongdoing, the incident came to be known as the “Dior bag scandal" and contributed to growing discontent with the ruling government.

Public sentiment turned against both Kim and her husband, with accusations of corruption and unethical behaviour. The fact that the gift violated government ethics rules, which prohibit public officials and their families from accepting anything worth more than $750, further fuelled the controversy.

Legal and Political Fallout

Earlier in July, Kim was questioned for nearly 12 hours by prosecutors about the incident. Her lawyer claimed that she had responded “sincerely" and had told the truth during the questioning. Kim later explained that she had intended to return the bag immediately but had forgotten to do so.

The backlash from the scandal contributed to the president’s already low approval ratings, which dropped even further after opposition parties gained momentum. In April, President Yoon’s party suffered a significant defeat in the general elections, losing its parliamentary majority.

President Yoon’s Apology

Amid growing pressure, President Yoon had initially dismissed the Dior handbag scandal as a “political scheme" and suggested that Kim had accepted the gift out of a sense of obligation, as it was difficult for her to refuse. However, in May, Yoon made a rare public apology, admitting that his wife’s acceptance of the handbag was “unwise" and expressing regret for the incident.

This apology did little to calm the storm of controversy. It only added fuel to the fire, as public scrutiny of Kim had already intensified following allegations of stock manipulation and other financial irregularities during the presidential campaign. At that time, Kim was also forced to apologise for falsified credentials, which further damaged her reputation.

The Bigger Picture

The Dior handbag scandal is just one of the many challenges faced by the Yoon administration. As South Korea enters a period of political uncertainty, with calls for President Yoon’s impeachment intensifying.

With protests erupting on the streets and an impeachment vote imminent, South Korea’s democracy is facing what opposition leader Lee Jae-myung called its “most critical moment," news agency AFP reported.

The country could have a new interim leader as soon as Saturday night, if the impeachment motion, set for 7 pm (1000 GMT), succeeds in removing the widely unpopular President Yoon Suk Yeol from office over his attempt to impose martial law in democratic South Korea.

Until Yoon is impeached, there remains a risk that he may try to subvert civilian rule again. Lee warned that, in the current climate of turmoil, the country remains vulnerable to “another martial law attempt."

(With inputs from agencies)

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