2024-07-17 03:46:23
“Keep it in its original packaging”
“Unpack and repack” explanation changed
Prosecutors, ‘Submit Dior Bag’ Official Document to the Presidential Office
On the 16th, President Yoon Seok-yeol’s wife, Kim Gun-hee, stated regarding the “Dior bag bribery suspicions,” “I am still keeping the Dior bag in its original packaging.” This was interpreted as an emphasis on the fact that when she received it from Choi Jae-young, it was still unpackaged. However, as reports continued to suggest that “it is still being kept without being unpackaged,” Kim’s side once again stated their position, explaining, “I did unpackage it, but I am keeping it in its original packaging.” Opposition parties and others responded that Kim’s side was changing its story.
● Mrs. Kim’s side: “We unpacked it, but then repacked it and stored it.”
Attorney Choi Ji-woo, representing Ms. Kim, released a statement around 12:29 p.m. on the 16th, stating, “The First Lady instructed the nanny administrative officer at the Office of the President, ‘If you return it right away, she might feel bad, so return it later so that she doesn’t feel bad. ’” She continued, “That’s why she didn’t throw away the packaging and kept it in that packaging,” and explained, “The Dior bag is currently being stored in an unused state. This proves that she had no intention of using it and intended to return it.”
This was interpreted to mean that the bag was being stored without being unpacked. However, as related reports continued, Attorney Choi issued another statement at around 3:47 p.m., explaining, “I unpacked it, but I am repackaging it in order to return it.” This was the first time in 1 year and 10 months since the Dior bag was received that the bag had been unpacked.
The first time the Office of the President released an official position on the Dior bag was on January 19th of this year. At the time, an official from the Office of the President stated, “Gifts received by the President and his wife are managed and stored as national property in accordance with relevant regulations.” This was interpreted to mean that the Dior bag was being managed as a presidential record. Three days later, Lee Cheol-gyu, a key member of the People Power Party and a close friend of Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol), also said, “Returning an item that belongs to the national treasury is embezzlement of the national treasury, so no one can return it. This (the Dior bag) belongs to the government of the Republic of Korea.”
However, on the 1st, Chief of Staff to the President Jeong Jin-seok appeared before the National Assembly Steering Committee and said, “The deadline for classifying (the Dior bag) as a presidential record has not yet arrived.” Chief of Staff Jeong also revealed the ‘status’ of the Dior bag for the first time, saying, “I understand that it is being stored in the Blue House building in its original packaging.”
On the 15th, it was reported that the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office’s 1st Criminal Division (Chief Prosecutor Kim Seung-ho), which is investigating the Dior bag case, obtained a statement during the investigation of Administrative Officer Yoo that “Ms. Kim instructed Mr. Choi to return the bag on the same day she received it.” Administrative Officer Yoo is also reported to have stated that he was unable to return the bag to Mr. Choi due to his own mistake. When criticism arose that this was “cutting the tail,” it is interpreted that Ms. Kim’s side released a statement on the 16th to provide additional explanation.
● Inspection, Dior Bag voluntary submission official document sent
It has been reported that the prosecution sent an official document to the Office of the President on the 16th requesting the voluntary submission of the Dior bag. It appears that they chose the voluntary submission method since there is no punishment provision for the spouse of a public official receiving money or goods under the Prohibition of Solicitation and Bribery Act.
The prosecution, which has completed its investigation of all Blue House officials, is looking into whether or not the documents are being kept and their current status in order to review whether and how to investigate Ms. Kim. It has been reported that Ms. Kim is willing to cooperate with the voluntary submission.
There are also speculations that if the prosecution secures the Dior bag, the case, including the investigation of Mrs. Kim, could be concluded this month. As there is a provision in the Anti-Corruption Act that requires a written report if a spouse receives prohibited money or goods, the prosecution is expected to go through the process of confirming whether or not President Yoon was aware of the fact that he received the Dior bag.
Reporter Choi Mi-song [email protected]
Reporter Heo Dong-jun [email protected]
-
- great
- 0dog
-
- I’m so sad
- 0dog
-
- I’m angry
- 0dog
-
- I recommend it
- dog
Hot news right now
2024-07-17 03:46:23