Political Plot Sparked $2,200 Bag Uproar, S. Korea’s Leader Says

Incident casts a shadow on Yoon ahead of parliamentary vote
Main opposition party has sought investigation of first lady

Yoon Suk Yeol during an interview with KBS in Seoul, on Feb. 4.Source: Office of the President of the Republic of Korea

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By Eunkyung Seo and Shery Ahn

February 7, 2024 at 2:34 PM UTC

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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said the presentation of a designer bag to the first lady was a “political maneuver,” trying to stem public anger over the incident that has hit voter sentiment.

“It’s a plot,” Yoon said in the interview conducted over the weekend and broadcast nationally on Wednesday by KBS. He indicated the incident may have taken place to sway public opinion. Opposition lawmakers have said the first lady acted inappropriately and have called for an investigation.