Prosecutors request forensic test after securing Chanel jacket worn by former first lady
Published: 31 Oct. 2024, 17:56
Updated: 04 Nov. 2024, 14:47
- LEE SOO-JUNG
- lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office received the jacket from Chanel's headquarters in France and requested a digital forensic assessment from the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office to determine whether Kim's jacket and the piece donated to the National Hangeul Museum are identical, according to legal sources Thursday.
Kim wore the Chanel jacket featuring hangul, the Korean alphabet, during a 2018 state visit to France with her husband and then-president, Moon Jae-in. In 2022, the jacket was showcased at an exhibition held by the museum on the departure floor at Incheon International Airport.
Later, an accusation arose on online forums and communities that the jacket on display and the piece that Kim wore were different.
In March 2022, the Blue House stated that “the jacket [worn by Kim] was returned to Chanel, and the brand donated the piece to the museum.”
Chanel said that the brand additionally produced the jacket as per a request from the museum in 2021, according to a report from the Chosun Ilbo. A representative from Chanel said the jacket was provided to the museum as a donation.
The prosecutors' office summoned a former administrative agent, surnamed Yang, who was in charge of Kim’s wardrobe and protocol as a witness last week.
Yang is reportedly a French national and the daughter of a fashion designer who was closely acquainted with Kim. Yang was also allegedly accused of receiving special treatment in her recruitment for the Blue House.
In January, Lee Jong-bae, a member of the Seoul city council from the conservative People Power Party, accused Kim of not returning the luxury Chanel jacket after borrowing and wearing it.
The prosecution earlier summoned Kim Il-hwan, director of the National Hangeul Museum, and Jeon Hae-woong, the former head of the Korean Cultural Center in France, for the investigation.
Update, Nov 4: Updated to add a statement from a Chanel representative.
BY LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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