The special counsel investigating Kim Keon-hee over the alleged acceptance of a Roger Vivier bag searched People Power Party lawmaker Kim Gi-hyeon and his spouse on the 17th.
The search and seizure warrant is said to list Kim as an accomplice to his spouse, a person surnamed Lee, on suspicion of violating the anti-graft law.
Lee is suspected of delivering a Roger Vivier clutch bag worth about 2.6 million won to Kim's wife after Kim was elected party leader in the People Power Party election in March 2023.
During the search of the former President Yoon couple's home on the 6th of last month, the clutch bag in question and a thank-you letter written by Lee were also reportedly found.
The special counsel believes Kim colluded with Geonjin, Jeon Seong-bae, to enroll more than 2,400 Unification Church believers into the party to push Kim as party leader, and in return promised government-level support to the Unification Church side.
The special counsel is also looking into the possibility that Lee handed the clutch bag to Kim as a token of appreciation for election support.
While Kim acknowledged that his spouse gave a gift to Kim, he said it was "a gift out of social courtesy from the spouse of the newly appointed ruling party leader to the president's wife." Kim has maintained that "there was no improper solicitation."