The Democratic Party of Korea criticized People Power Party lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun and the lawmaker's spouse, who were indicted on charges of violating the anti-graft law, saying they "pushed the democratic value of fair primaries back by decades."
Park Kyung-mi, Spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said in a written briefing on the 27th that it was "a symbolic case that revealed how the heart of party democracy was contaminated and corrupted."
Park, the Spokesperson, also said, "If the presidential office not only intervened in the party leader primary but also mobilized the inappropriate medium of a luxury bag, it is an act that sought to replace the public system with private transaction and bribery, undermining the national order."
The special counsel team led by Min Joong-ki, which is investigating allegations related to Kim Keon-hee, on this day indicted Kim and Kim's wife, a person surnamed Lee, without detention on charges of violating the anti-graft law.
The two are accused of giving first lady Kim a Roger Vivier clutch bag worth 2.67 million won on Mar. 17 of the same year in return for Kim being elected at the People Power Party convention in 2023.
The special counsel team believes former President Yoon Suk-yeol and Kim Keon-hee initially tried to support People Power Party lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong as party leader but switched their backing to Kim, and in return handed over the bag.
Park, the Spokesperson, said, "Kim's side is protesting that this is about 'racking up indictments,'" adding, "Far from reflection and apology, attacking the investigative agency is arrogance that denies the rule of law."
She added, "If you are confident you did nothing wrong, prove in court whether there was a quid pro quo. The public has already rendered its judgment in their hearts."
Park, the Spokesperson, also said, "If Yoon Suk-yeol was aware of the bag being delivered, or went further and delivered it himself, the problem becomes even more serious."
She went on, "Yoon Suk-yeol and his spouse must answer for the reality in which Article 1 of the Constitution, which says 'all power comes from the people,' is being mocked as 'all power comes from luxury bags.'"
On the 26th, the Min Joong-ki special counsel team additionally indicted former President Yoon Suk-yeol on charges of announcing false information under the Public Official Election Act, and the first lady on charges of receiving money and valuables worth hundreds of millions of won in connection with "selling offices."