Ex-first lady cleared of allegations over India trip and luxury jacket

First Lady Kim Jung-sook waves upon arrival at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam for her visit to India in this file photo taken on Nov. 4, 2018. Yonhap

SEOUL, February 7 (AJP) - Former First Lady Kim Jung-sook has been cleared of allegations of abuse of power and embezzlement of state funds.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office said on Friday that it dropped charges against Kim, the wife of former President Moon Jae-in, over allegations related to her solo trip to India and her handling of a luxury jacket worn during a state visit to France.

"We conducted a thorough investigation, questioning multiple individuals and reviewing relevant materials, and found no legal misconduct," prosecutors said.

The investigation began after a complaint was filed in December 2023 by Lee Jong-bae, a Seoul city official. He accused Kim of abusing her power and misusing state funds for her 2018 trip to India's Taj Mahal, claiming it was for personal purposes.

She was also accused of improperly retaining a Chanel jacket worn during a 2018 state visit to Paris, which was reportedly loaned for the occasion, and of taking private swimming lessons that were reportedly arranged through a presidential security official.

But prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to support these allegations.

As for the India trip, they said that it could not be considered a personal trip, as the Indian government had repeatedly requested her attendance.
Im Yoon-seo 수습기자 lyseo0330@ajupress.com

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