South Korean politics: The bag, the bling and a tale of 2 first ladies

The drama over a Dior bag reflects a political culture where corruption accusations can be a potent political weapon.

Former First Lady Yuk Young-soo (left) is terribly missed in view of the “growing risks” posed by the current First Lady Kim Keon-hee. PHOTOS: THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK, AFP
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SEOUL – Two first ladies have been making the news in South Korea recently.

One is current First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who is much talked-about these days after being caught on spy camera footage accepting a Dior handbag worth 3 million won (S$3,000). The other is the late Madam Yuk Young-soo, the mother of former president Park Geun-hye and wife of the late president Park Chung-hee.

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