All images: AFP
South Korea’s First Lady Kim Keon-hee is a controversial figure. An entrepreneur by profession, Kim has been embroiled in several controversies even before she became the first lady.
Kim has been named in cases involving tax evasion, and stock market manipulation and even lied about her work experience for jobs. During her college days, Kim’s academic writings were under scrutiny for suspected plagiarism.
The first lady is facing criticism from within the ruling People Power Party (PPP) over accepting a Dior handbag from a pastor in 2022. The handbag was worth 3 million won ($2,240). PPP leaders compared Kim to Marie Antoinette’s luxurious life and demanded that she should apologise.