Yoon Suk Yeol Apologises Amid Scandals Involving Kim Keon Hee

In November 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol addressed controversies regarding his wife, Kim Keon Hee, including allegations of accepting a luxury handbag and stock manipulation. He spoke to the nation, acknowledging that his wife's conduct should have been better, while also criticizing the portrayal of her character as exaggerated. The controversies have impacted Yoon's approval ratings, prompting him to establish an office to oversee the first lady's duties. Yoon's apology was also a strategic move as he faces declining public support linked to these scandals. The issues surrounding Kim Keon Hee gained significant traction when a left-wing YouTube channel released a video allegedly showing her accepting a 3 million won designer handbag from a pastor. Despite the leak, Yoon had previously characterized the incident as a political attack without issuing an apology. The Democratic Party, South Korea's opposition, condemned the president for his lack of accountability and compared Kim's situation to that of Marie Antoinette, highlighting concerns about her extravagant lifestyle. This scandal has not only fueled public outrage but has also created divisions within Yoon's People Power Party, as various members expressed disappointment regarding the first lady's behavior and the implications for the administration. The opposition party has consistently accused Kim of being involved in stock manipulation, urging for investigations that Yoon has consistently vetoed. The ongoing controversies seem to affect Yoon’s political capital and pose challenges for the ruling party in the upcoming election cycles. By addressing the public, Yoon aims to mitigate the backlash against his administration and regain trust among voters. However, the effectiveness of his apology and subsequent actions remains to be seen as public scrutiny continues.