Death of South Korean official involved in first lady probe sparks cover-up accusations

The death of a senior South Korean anti-corruption official who was investigating the alleged graft case of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s wife involving an expensive handbag has deepened the political crisis in the country.

Opposition parties are pushing for a parliamentary investigation into the apparent suicide of the official, who was identified only by his surname Kim and was in his 50s. Kim had led the anti-corruption bureau of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC).

Kim’s death last Thursday has fuelled accusations by the opposition and the media of an official cover-up. The case has added pressure on the government following the death of a marine during a flood rescue operation in July last year and the busting of a huge methamphetamine smuggling ring that allegedly involved South Korean customs officials in October.

Local news reports said Kim had expressed distress for being forced to act against his conscience at work and accused his supervisor of a conflict of interest.

On Tuesday, Chung Seung-yoon, Kim’s supervisor and one of the three vice-chairmen of the ACRC, offered his resignation. Chung allegedly pressured Kim to drop a corruption investigation against First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who was accused of accepting a Dior handbag as a gift in 2022.

After six months of reviewing the first lady’s case, the ACRC closed the investigation in June without referring it to prosecutors for potential criminal charges.

02:23

South Korean leader apologises over wife’s Dior handbag saga, vows to improve livelihoods

The ACRC justified the decision by citing the absence of a clause outlining punishment for the spouses of public officials under the anti-corruption law, which sparked a backlash from opposition parties.

The