Yoon claims first lady's bag scandal was 'political ploy,' makes no apology
President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks to a news anchor during an interview with broadcaster KBS at the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Sunday. The prerecorded interview was televised late Wednesday night. Courtesy of presidential office
President Yoon Suk Yeol brushed off an escalating controversy over spy-cam footage showing his wife, Kim Keon Hee, accepting a luxury handbag gift, labeling it a “political ploy,” during a televised New Year interview on Wednesday.
Yoon said it was “a bit regrettable” that his wife couldn't “cold-heartedly” refuse the person who presented the gift.
The first lady has been at the center of the political controversy after spy camera footage surfaced late last year showing a pastor presenting her in 2022 with a Christian Dior bag valued at around 3 million won ($2,240). The controversy garnered not only domestic but also international attention, transforming a personal matter of the first lady into a significant political issue. This development exacerbated public sentiment against the ruling bloc just before the general elections in April.
“It was a political ploy because (the video) was filmed secretly by using a camera disguised as a watch. Furthermore, its release occurred a year after the incident, conveniently timed with the approaching elections,” Yoon said during the interview with broadcaster KBS.
“However, the crucial point isn't whether the video footage was politically motivated. What truly matters is that my wife and I need to establish clearer boundaries to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.”
President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks to a news anchor during an interview with broadcaster KBS at the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Sunday. The prerecorded interview was televised late Wednesday night. Courtesy of presidential office
Despite being criticized for not holding a press conference since Aug. 17, 2022, Yoon chose once again not to hold one, apparently due to concerns about potential questions regarding the first lady.
Instead, he opted to use the televised interview as a substitute for a press conference, allowing him to articulate his thoughts on state affairs. Yoon's office said the president provided spontaneous answers without relying on prearranged scripts or assistance from teleprompters.
Yoon explained that the pastor approached his wife, claiming their parents were acquaintances from the same hometown, and Kim “could not bring herself to coldly turn down the pastor.”
“If I were in that situation, I might have been more cold-hearted, but I believe my wife couldn't be because of various circumstances, which is something we need to reflect on and improve upon,” Yoon said.
“And it's quite awkward to delve into this in front of the public. While they may expect detailed explanations, there are potential negative consequences to consider. Therefore, I believe it's essential for us to establish clear boundaries to alleviate any concerns the public may have about this issue.”
President Yoon Suk Yeol introduces the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, to a KBS news anchor who interviewed him on Sunday. The prerecorded interview was televised late Wednesday night. Courtesy of presidential office
While Yoon expressed his intention to prevent similar controversies in the future, he refrained from issuing an apology. He also expressed skepticism about establishing a team of personal secretaries for the first lady.
“The presidential office is currently considering the formation of such a team, but even if there was such a team (at the time the bag was offered), they would not have been able to prevent the incident because my wife could not refuse the pastor in the first place,” he said.
Right after the interview was released, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) issued a statement saying, “The president ignored the public's demand for an apology and a thorough investigation into this issue.”
“The president's attempt to pacify the public uproar with this patchwork explanation reflects arrogance and falls short of the public's expectation of a sincere apology.”
People watch a TV screen televising President Yoon Suk Yeol's interview at Seoul Station, Wednesday. Yonhap
Amid the controversy surrounding his wife, Yoon emphasized that the alliance between South Korea and the United States will remain unaffected by the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
“One member of the U.S. delegation, who visited the presidential office last year, shared a saying with me: 'The president changes, but Congress stands still.’” Yoon said. “While discussing another nation's election is inappropriate, I believe the diplomatic stances of both the ruling and opposition blocs in the U.S. are similar.”
Yoon also reiterated his trust in the U.S.' extended deterrence to counter North Korea's nuclear ambitions. He also emphasized that South Korea will continue to adhere to non-proliferation principles, despite possessing the capability to arm itself with nuclear weapons if deemed necessary.
“If we were to develop a nuclear weapon, we will face various economic sanctions, just like North Korea,” Yoon said. “The non-proliferation treaty should be respected.”
He also expressed confidence in his recent rhetoric, referring to the Kim Jong-un regime as “an irrational group,” because “a rational country will not damage its economy for the sake of nuclear weapons.”
“I believe the North Korean regime is irrational and unreasonable,” Yoon said. “So we should not rely only on rational and logical judgments. We must prepare with the understanding that North Korea may come to irrational and illogical conclusions. It is essential to strengthen our security measures with this premise in mind.”