Police forward ex-President Yoon to prosecutors over First Lady's Dior bag

South Korean police have forwarded former President Yoon Suk-yeol to prosecutors, citing violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act in connection with an alleged luxury handbag gift to First Lady Kim Keon-hee. The police determined that the Dior bag, received by Kim in 2022 from Pastor Choi Jae-young, was related to presidential duties. However, the police decided not to pursue bribery charges against Yoon and his wife, stating that there was insufficient evidence to prove collusion between them in receiving the gifts. The Improper Solicitation and Graft Act requires public officials to report gifts received by their spouses if they are related to their duties and exceed a certain value. "The Presidential Office's Special Investigation Headquarters transferred Yoon to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on charges of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act on the 9th," the police announced on the 19th. Yoon is accused of knowing about his wife's receipt of the approximately 3 million won (about $2,100) Dior bag in relation to his presidential duties and failing to report it promptly. Previously, a civic group had filed a complaint against Yoon and Kim in June 2024, alleging bribery and violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. The case was initially handled by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) before being transferred to a special prosecutor team and eventually to the police due to unaddressed deadlines. The police's decision to forward Yoon on the grounds of failing to report the gift, while dismissing bribery charges due to lack of evidence of conspiracy, highlights the complexities of the investigation into the First Lady's alleged receipt of luxury goods.