On August 12, Judge Jeong Jae-Wook of the SEOUL Central District Court issued an arrest warrant for Kim Keon-Hee, citing the risk of destruction of the evidence. This marks the first time in the history of South Korea that a First Lady has been convened by a special consultant and taken in custody as a criminal suspicion.
The key tests behind the arrest of Kim Keon-Hee are a Snowflake pendant necklace of Van Cleef and Arpels worth about 60 million, presumably given by the construction company SEOHUI Construction in view of the NATO summit in June 2022. A security declaration of the President of SEOHUI said that the gift was purchased immediately after the victory of the presidency of March in the victory of March 2022.
Kim Keon-Hee’s affinity for Van Cleef & Arpels was well known, with public appearances in the brand’s Alhambra bracelets and high-level pieces. This preference, combined with its omission of these activities in the official financial information, has fueled the public suspicion.
Investigators discovered a trail of high value objects presumably received by Kim Keon-Hee:
- A 54 million Vacheron Constantin watch, purchased by a narrow partner and was given to it in September 2022, according to what was reported at his request.
- A 62 million scratch diamond necklace and two chanel bags from figures linked to the unification church, presumably intended for curry in favor of a political favor.
- Cartier and Tiffany multiple accessories worn during public events, evaluated in millions of victories.
The special consultant suspects that many of these articles were given with the intention of influencing political or commercial decisions and some may have been acquired through intermediaries to obscure the real source.
The scandal also attracted attention to a 2023 accident that involved a secretly recorded video of Kim Keon-Hee who received a handbag of 3 million 3 million. At the time, the presidential office rejected it how “A configuration of the hidden camera” And he did not offer excuses, with the score that, compared to his usual acquisitions, Dior was considered minor.
The case highlights how many of the articles Kim Keon-Hee presumably accepted come from the most exclusive luxury homes in the world: brands such as Graff, Van Cleef & Arpels and Vacheron Constantin, which rarely offer sponsorships and satisfy only the ultra rich.
Public ministries continue to trace the origins, the payment methods and the delivery routes of these goods, suggesting that the scandal could imply further company and political data.
Sources: Edaily
