South Korea has launched an investigation into allegations that taxpayers funded former first lady Kim Jung-sook’s 2018 trip to Agra, India, where the iconic Taj Mahal is located. The probe was initiated nearly six months after a complaint was filed in December 2022, accusing Kim of misuse of public funds, embezzlement, and abuse of power.
The former first lady’s trip came under scrutiny after her husband, former President Moon Jae-in, revealed in his memoir that it was organized at the request of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, Moon’s explanation did not satisfy the opposition People Power Party (PPP), which claims the trip was solely intended to fulfill Kim’s personal desire to visit the Taj Mahal.
The PPP has called for a special counsel to investigate the allegations, while the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has demanded a similar inquiry into the current first lady, Kim Keon-hee. Kim Keon-hee is accused of receiving a $2,200 Dior handbag from a Korean-American pastor in 2022.
On Monday, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission announced the closure of its investigation into Kim Keon-hee, citing a lack of legal provisions to hold spouses of elected officials accountable. The DPK has criticized the decision, questioning the impartiality of the agency and vowing to push for a special counsel investigation into Kim Keon-hee’s case.
Prosecutor General Lee One-seok stated that his department would continue probing the handbag incident and would examine the reasons behind the anti-corruption commission’s dismissal of the case.
This ongoing investigation sheds light on the complex political landscape in South Korea, where allegations of misuse of public funds by high-ranking officials draw significant public attention and scrutiny.
