Special counsel Min Joong-ki’s team has launched an investigation after discovering that then-ruling party lawmaker Kim Gi-hyeon’s wife gave then-first lady Kim Keon-hee a luxury clutch bag shortly after Kim Gi-hyeon’s election as party leader in March 2023.

During a search of the first lady’s Seoul residence on Thursday, investigators found two luxury clutches, one accompanied by a letter from Kim Gi-hyeon’s wife thanking Kim Keon-hee for helping her husband win the party leadership elections.

The team has identified the ex-first lady as a suspect under the anti-graft law and is also looking into the possibility of introducing bribery charges.

Kim Gi-hyeon admitted his wife sent the gift but denied any quid-pro-quo intent, calling it a gesture of courtesy between political spouses.  

The first lady’s office likewise said it was a social, ceremonial gift.