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| ▲ Baek Eun-jong, chief of Voice of Seoul, speaks to reporters at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office on May 20, 2024. (Yonhap) |
first lady allegations-prosecution
News outlet chief questioned in luxury bag gift case involving first lady
SEOUL, May 20 (Yonhap) -- The head of an internet news outlet appeared before prosecutors Monday to face questioning as the complainant in allegations that first lady Kim Keon Hee illegally received a luxury handbag as a gift in 2022.
Baek Eun-jong, the chief of Voice of Seoul, presented himself for questioning at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office, his first prosecution appearance since he filed a complaint against President Yoon Suk Yeol and the first lady on graft charges in December.
In November, Voice of Seoul published a video showing a Korean American pastor hand over a Dior handbag, worth 3 million won (US$2,214), to Kim during their meeting in Seoul in September 2022.
Monday's questioning is expected to focus on the circumstances behind the news outlet's coverage of the allegations, as well as the intent of Baek's complaint.
During the session, Baek also plans to submit the original 30-minute-long video clip depicting the handbag exchange, as well as copies of messenger communications between Kim and the pastor before their meeting, which he said would support the graft allegations against the first lady.
Right before heading to questioning, Baek filed an additional complaint against the presidential couple with the Supreme Prosecutors Office, claiming that Kim received more illegal gifts from Choi, such as luxury cosmetics and imported liquor, and meddled in official personnel affairs.
Last week, prosecutors questioned the Korean American pastor Choi Jae-young on charges of secretly filming his delivery of the handbag to the first lady, which had been privately purchased by a Voice of Seoul reporter and handed to the pastor.
Monday's questioning is the first conducted since Lee Chang-soo, reportedly close to Yoon, took office last Thursday as head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office following a surprise personnel reshuffle.
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