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South Korea’s controversy prone first lady Kim Keon-hee keeps a low profile ahead of parliamentary polls
- South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s wife, who has been embroiled in a number of controversies, has not been seen in public since December 15
- Kim Keon-hee’s unprecedented absence from public view is seen by analysts as a political decision to shield Yoon’s party from negative comments
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Beset by controversies about share-price manipulation and a costly gifted handbag, South Korea’s first lady has not been seen in public since December 15, but few in Seoul were surprised as a high-stakes parliamentary election approaches this month.
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President Yoon Suk-yeol is not running in the April 10 election in which his People Power Party faces an uphill battle to win back control of parliament, and is also barred from campaigning, as he already holds public office.
Still, the unprecedented absence from public view of his wife, Kim Keon-hee, after the couple returned from a visit to the Netherlands on December 15, is seen by analysts as a political decision to shield the party from any negative comment.
“Since the first lady is not portraying positive images to the public, for her to remain quiet during this time might actually help [Yoon’s party in] the election,” said Shin Yul, a political-science professor at Myongji University in Seoul.
“If she re-emerges, it could be problematic, not just because of the scandals themselves, but her unfavourable image before the public.”
The president’s office did not comment.
Before Yoon’s election in 2022, the accusations of Kim’s involvement in stock-price manipulation had prompted parliament, controlled by the Democratic Party, to pass a bill for an investigation by a special prosecutor. But Yoon vetoed it.
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