South Korea: 'Dior bag scandal' a political manoeuvre, president says - BBC News

Under fire, Yoon Suk Yeol says it's "regrettable" that his wife accepted luxury bag as a gift.

10 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, VOICE OF SEOUL/YOUTUBEImage caption, South Korea's first lady has been embroiled in what local media call the 'Dior bag scandal'By Kelly NgBBC NewsSpy camera footage of South Korea's first lady accepting a luxury bag gift was leaked as a "political manoeuvre", President Yoon Suk Yeol said.

Mr Yoon said the act was "regrettable" but stopped short of apologising.

He has been under pressure to address the issue, which has roiled his ruling party ahead of key elections in April.

His first comments on what local media has called the "Dior bag scandal" disappointed citizens and angered the opposition.

Late last year, left-wing YouTube channel Voice of Seoul published a video that purportedly showed first lady Kim Keon Hee accepting a 3m won ($2,200; £1,800) Dior bag from a pastor, who filmed the exchange in September 2022 using a camera concealed in his watch.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-68236424?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

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