Yoon apologizes for first lady’s handbag controversy in rare press conference

President Yoon Suk Yeol takes questions from journalists during a press conference to mark his second anniversary in office at the Yongsan presidential office Thursday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

President Yoon Suk Yeol apologized for the controversy raised over first lady Kim Keon Hee's acceptance of a luxury handbag in 2022 in a press conference Thursday to mark his second anniversary in office.

"I apologize for causing concern to the public over the unwise conduct of my wife," Yoon said in a live broadcast press conference from the Yongsan presidential office attended by members of the press corps, including foreign correspondents.

This is the first time the president has publicly apologized for the handbag controversy. Kim received a Christian Dior handbag as a gift from a Korean American pastor in September 2022, first reported on Nov. 29 by a liberal YouTube news channel, sparking public backlash.

At the same time, Yoon drew a line on a special counsel probe into another allegation that the first lady was involved in a stock price manipulation case, calling it inappropriate and politically motivated.

He said another independent investigation into the allegations is "truly a political offensive" and "a political act that does not fit the essence or purpose of the special probes and is not intended to reveal the truth."

This marks the president's first such formal media encounter in 21 months, following a press conference to mark his first 100 days in office.

At 10 a.m., Yoon first gave a 20-minute video address to the nation from his office on his accomplishments over the past two years and future policy plans for the remainder of his five-year term.

Then, he took questions from the press in a rare and lengthy question and answer session with journalists, which covered political, foreign affairs and security, economic and social matters.

Yoon also addressed the conservative People Power Party's (PPP) crushing defeat in last month's general election, with its rival Democratic Party (DP) securing a majority in the National Assembly again.

He said he has been ruminating over what he had been lacking when asked about the April 10 election defeat, and said, "In the end, no matter how hard we tried to improve people's livelihoods, there was a lack of tangible change for the people."

"I think there was a lot of lack of communication and explanation to the people about things like government policies," Yoon said. "In the future, I will communicate more frequently with the media, and through the press explain to the people and seek their understanding to address our insufficiencies and shortcomings."

The last official presidential press conference was held on Aug. 17, 2022, marking Yoon's first 100 days in office.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]