Kim Geon-hee's 'Van Cleef & Arpels' Necklace Controversy Takes a New Turn
The 'Van Cleef & Arpels' necklace reportedly worn by Kim Geon-hee has been confirmed as a counterfeit, leading to a new phase in the special prosecutor team's investigation into allegations surrounding her.
The special prosecutor team led by Min Jung-ki, investigating the suspicions related to the wife of former President Yoon Seok-yeol, recently concluded through a detailed examination of a necklace seized from the residence of Kim’s in-laws that the necklace is a counterfeit.
According to a KBS report on the 29th, the special prosecutor team determined that the 'Van Cleef & Arpels' necklace secured during a search of the residence of Kim Geon-hee's brother-in-law, Kim Jin-woo, is not authentic.
Surrounding this necklace, which has a genuine price of about 62 million won, the special prosecutor team has not dismissed the possibility that the genuine and counterfeit items may have been swapped.
The special prosecutor team is reportedly focusing on identifying the genuine item's whereabouts, keeping open the possibility that Kim Geon-hee's side concealed the genuine product and left the counterfeit at her brother's in-law's house to create an 'alibi.'
In particular, the special prosecutor team finds it suspicious that, three years after the controversy began, Kim Geon-hee's side suddenly claimed it was a 'counterfeit,' and that a counterfeit was found at her brother's in-law's residence.
Expansion of Investigation into Evidence Destruction
The special prosecutor team believes that the claim that a counterfeit was worn by the First Lady at her first official diplomatic event lacks credibility.
In response, the special prosecutor team summoned Kim Geon-hee's biological brother, Kim Jin-woo, on the 28th to investigate the necklace’s origin, purchase path, and storage circumstances.
Kim Jin-woo finished the investigation around 10:55 PM but did not respond to questions from reporters such as "Why did the necklace come from your in-laws?" "Did Kim Geon-hee destroy evidence?" "Do you acknowledge any preferential treatment in the Yangpyeong Gongheung district development allegations?" and "Why are you covering your face?"
He fully covered his face with the collar of his suit while walking with the support of his lawyer for about three minutes to a nearby building.
The investigation team is speeding up its inquiries, considering the possibility that Kim Geon-hee's brother attempted to hide the necklace and is reviewing charges of evidence destruction and aiding evidence destruction.
The 'high-priced necklace controversy' began when Kim Geon-hee accompanied her husband on his first foreign trip after taking office, the NATO summit in June 2022, where she was spotted wearing expensive jewelry.
At the time, it was raised that the necklace and other jewelry Kim Geon-hee wore were not included in former President Yoon's report on public officials' assets, leading to potential violations of the Public Official Ethics Act.
The presidential office initially explained that these items were “borrowed from a friend,” but Kim Geon-hee's side recently changed its stance, claiming that "the jewelry worn during the visit was fake," intensifying the controversy.
The special prosecutor team plans to thoroughly question the circumstances related to the necklace in the upcoming summons of Kim Geon-hee scheduled for the 6th of next month.
Image source: During the NATO summit visit of President Yoon Seok-yeol and Kim Geon-hee / Office of the President of the Yoon Seok-yeol government
