South Korea’s president has apologized for a collection of controversies involving his spouse that included her alleged acceptance of a Dior luxurious bag and inventory manipulation.
Addressing the nation on tv, Yoon Suk Yeol mentioned his spouse, Kim Keon Hee, ought to have behaved higher, however her portrayal has been overly “demonized”, including that a number of the claims in opposition to her are “exaggerated”.
The president mentioned he would set up an workplace to supervise the primary woman’s official duties, however rejected requires an investigation into her actions.
Yoon’s apology got here as he sought to reverse a decline in reputation among the many South Korean public linked to controversies surrounding his spouse.
In late 2023, the left-leaning YouTube channel Voice of Seoul posted a video purportedly exhibiting Kim accepting a 3 million received ($2,200; £1,800) Dior bag from a pastor, who filmed the change in September 2022 utilizing a hidden digicam in his watch.
In February, Yoon mentioned the footage was leaked as a “political maneuver”, and he did not apologize.
The Democratic Party of South Korea, the opposition to Yoon’s conservative People Power Party, referred to as the president’s “shameless perspective” “hopeless” on the time.
The scandal has additionally triggered rifts inside Mr Yoon’s celebration, with one chief evaluating Ms Kim to Marie Antoinette, the French queen recognized for her extravagant way of life.
The opposition celebration has additionally lengthy accused the primary woman of being concerned within the manipulation of inventory costs. Earlier this yr, Yoon vetoed a invoice calling for his spouse to be investigated over such allegations.
