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| ▲ In this Nov. 7, 2018, file photo, first lady Kim Jung-sook (R) and Do Jong-hwan (2nd from R), minister of culture, sports and tourism, pose for a photo during their visit to the historic Taj Mahal in Agra, the northern India state of Uttar Pradesh. (Yonhap) |
ex-first lady-India visit
Controversy intensifies over ex-first lady's visit to India
SEOUL, June 7 (Yonhap) -- Lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) on Friday defended a solo visit to India in 2018 by former first lady Kim Jung-sook, wife of former President Moon Jae-in, amid a controversy that her visit wasted taxpayer money.
Kim's visit sparked controversy over whether she was officially invited for the visit that cost 400 million won (US$278,940). It was the first time in 16 years that a South Korean first lady had made a foreign visit without the president.
Do Jong-hwan, a former minister of culture who led the delegation at the time, disclosed a copy of the invitation Moon received from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a press conference held earlier in the day with DP lawmakers Ko Min-jung and Youn Kun-young.
In the letter, Modi said he was pleased to "officially invite" Kim and the South Korean delegation to visit India and attend the Diwali festival of lights, according to Do.
Do argued that Kim's visit to the Taj Mahal, which the ruling People Power Party (PPP) earlier criticized as a personal tour on her "bucket list," was scheduled at the request of India.
They also released details of the in-flight meals during Kim's trip after Rep. Bae Hyun-jin of the PPP claimed Kim and the delegation spent over 62 million won (US$ 45,285) on in-flight meals alone and criticized them for having lavish meals with taxpayers' money.
On Wednesday, Moon finally spoke up about the issue on his Facebook page, refuting claims Kim had "invited herself" on the trip.
"I could not afford to go then despite India's request, so the minister of culture, sports and tourism decided to lead the visiting delegation but India continued to wish for my visit," he wrote. "After suggestions from diplomatic authorities and consultations with India, I and several others persuaded (my wife) it would be better for her to go instead for the development of South Korea-India relations."
Members of the PPP have called for a special counsel probe into Kim, which the DP has accused as an attempt to "water down" issues regarding allegations that the current first lady Kim Keon Hee illegally received a luxury handbag as a gift in 2022.
Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of PPP on Monday proposed a bill calling for the special counsel investigation into Kim.
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