Kim Keon Hee, spouse of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, arrives on the Seoul Central District Courtroom in Seocho District, Seoul, on Sept. 24 for the primary listening to in her trial on fees associated to inventory manipulation involving Deutsche Motors and allegations of receiving valuables from the Unification Church. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]
Kim Keon Hee, spouse of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, has admitted for the primary time that she acquired Chanel purses from a determine linked to the Unification Church shortly after the 2022 presidential election. Her authorized crew mentioned Wednesday that “Kim acknowledges receiving two purses from Jeon Seong-bae,” a person also known as a shamanic adviser. They added that the baggage had been by no means used and had been returned to Jeon.
Till now, Kim and her aides had flatly denied accepting luxurious items. The sudden shift seems to be linked to ongoing courtroom proceedings, the place Jeon lately altered his earlier testimony, placing stress on the protection. In impact, Kim has acknowledged that elements of her earlier statements to the particular counsel had been unfaithful. From this level, additional denials or inconsistencies will solely erode public belief.
Whereas admitting to receiving the purses, Kim’s aspect continues to disclaim any connection to former President Yoon’s official duties or any expectation of favors. They argue that the items had been provided with out circumstances — a declare many discover troublesome to simply accept. Kim additionally denies allegations that she acquired a diamond necklace price about 60 million gained. That leaves solely two potentialities: Both Jeon is mendacity about giving it, or Kim is mendacity about receiving it.
The Chanel bag case is considered one of a number of controversies surrounding Kim. She has been linked to allegations of involvement within the presidential workplace relocation, meddling in Folks Energy Celebration (PPP) candidate nominations, influencing the route of the Yangpyeong Expressway and the Deutsche Motors inventory manipulation case. Questions on luxurious items are solely a part of a broader sample. Kim as soon as described herself as “an individual of no significance,” however investigations and courtroom proceedings proceed to peel away layers of unresolved suspicion.
These concerned — together with Kim — should now abandon half-truths and cooperate absolutely with the authorized course of. The general public expects transparency, not strategic admissions.
Former President Yoon additionally bears accountability. Indicted on fees of main an tried riot, he skipped 16 consecutive hearings earlier than reappearing in courtroom late final month. At a listening to on Nov. 3, former Particular Warfare Commander Kwak Jong-geun testified that Yoon mentioned he would “shoot to kill” figures like former celebration chief Han Dong-hoon throughout final 12 months’s Armed Forces Day occasion. Yoon’s attorneys deny this, however the allegation calls for additional investigation.
As a former head of state and commander in chief, Yoon should cooperate in clarifying the reality and resolving public doubts.
