Kim Geon-hee: "The Van Cleef necklace was bought as a gift for my mother in the past"
Kim Geon-hee, the wife of former President Yoon Seok-yeol, has provided a new statement regarding the controversial Van Cleef & Arpels replica necklace during the special investigation.
According to the Korea National Daily on the 6th, during the investigation conducted that day, Kim stated that the necklace was "purchased over 15 years ago in Hong Kong as a gift for my mother."
The necklace in question is the same piece that garnered significant attention when Kim wore it during a visit to the NATO summit in June 2022.
Kim stated, "I didn't even know it was a replica of the brand and bought it for my mother (Choi Eun-soon). When I see it in person, it has an old-fashioned feel, and I actually gave it to my mother."
She claimed that she bought the necklace before becoming the First Lady, and the purchase price was around 2 to 3 million won.
Regarding why she wore the necklace during the NATO visit, she explained, "There was nothing else suitable among the necklaces I owned, and although it's a replica, I borrowed it after giving it to my mother."
She also added, "I was surprised to see it becoming a problem at that time."
After the controversy, Kim also spoke about the whereabouts of the necklace.
She mentioned, "The controversy became so big that I thought no one would wear it, so I considered throwing it away and left it at home. Later, my brother saw it and said, 'If you’re going to throw it away, I’ll take it,' and took the necklace."
However, regarding the necklace being found at her brother Kim Jin-woo's mother-in-law's house, Kim stated, "I don’t know its whereabouts since my brother took it."
Kim is under investigation for failing to report the purchase of high-priced jewelry in violation of the Public Official Ethics Act.
This necklace was worn during the NATO summit in June 2022, and its value was estimated to be over 60 million won.
According to the Public Official Ethics Act, jewelry worth over 5 million won must be registered as property, but this necklace was not included in the asset declaration.
When the controversy arose, the presidential office claimed it was "borrowed from a friend," but in May, Kim submitted a statement to the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office stating that she "personally purchased the replica necklace."
Following this, the special investigation team secured the necklace during a search of Kim Jin-woo's mother-in-law's house, confirming through examination that the item was indeed a replica.
Special Investigation Team takes note of the statement inconsistencies
The special investigation team is paying attention to Kim's multiple statements regarding the necklace.
Initially, she claimed it was "borrowed from a friend," then changed her statement to "it was a replica I purchased directly," and now has presented a new claim that it was "bought as a gift for my mother and was borrowed for wearing."
These changes in her statements are a major reason for the special investigation team's doubts about their credibility.
The special investigation team is expected to continue looking into the circumstances surrounding the necklace's purchase, actual ownership, and the reasons behind the changes in statements.
Attention is focused on how Kim's recent statement will influence the special investigation and whether there will be further changes in her statements.
Image source: Kim Geon-hee, the wife of former President Yoon Seok-yeol, is seen returning home after completing an investigation at the Kim Geon-hee Special Investigation Team office established at the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on August 6, 2025. / News1, JTBC, during the NATO summit visit of President Yoon Seok-yeol and Kim Geon-hee / The presidential office of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, Kim Geon-hee is seen returning home after completing an investigation as a suspect at the Kim Geon-hee Special Investigation Team office established at the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on August 6, 2025. / News1
