South Korea’s president has apologised for a string of controversies surrounding his spouse that included allegedly accepting a luxurious Dior purse and inventory manipulation.
Addressing the nation on tv, Yoon Suk Yeol mentioned his spouse, Kim Keon Hee, ought to have performed herself higher, however her portrayal had been excessively “demonised”, including that among the claims in opposition to her had been “exaggerated”.
The president mentioned he would arrange an workplace to supervise the primary woman’s official duties, however rejected a name for an investigation into her actions.
Yoon’s apology got here as he tries to reverse a dip in his recognition among the many South Korean public, linked to the controversies surrounding his spouse.
Late in 2023, left-wing YouTube channel Voice of Seoul revealed a video that purportedly confirmed Mrs Kim accepting a 3m gained ($2,200; £1,800) Dior bag from a pastor, who filmed the trade in September 2022 utilizing a digicam hid in his watch.
In February, Yoon mentioned that the footage was leaked as a “political manoeuvre”, and didn’t apologise.
South Korea’s Democratic Get together, the opposition to Mr Yoon’s conservative Individuals Energy Get together, on the time labelled the president’s “shameless perspective” as “hopeless”.
The scandal additionally brought about rifts inside Mr Yoon’s social gathering, with one chief evaluating Ms Kim with Marie Antoinette, the queen of France infamous for her extravagant life-style.
The opposition social gathering has additionally lengthy accused the primary woman of being concerned in inventory value manipulation. Earlier within the yr, Mr Yoon vetoed a invoice calling for his spouse to be investigated over these allegations.
