Why was former President Yoon Suk Yeol indicted over Kim Keon Hee’s luxury bag case?

Prosecutors said he failed to report Kim Keon Hee’s alleged receipt of a Dior bag worth 3 million won from a pastor in 2022. They said that reporting was required under the anti-graft law.

What happened to Kim Keon Hee in the luxury bag case before Yoon’s indictment?

A Seoul district court convicted Kim in June on charges involving acceptance of the luxury bag and other valuables in exchange for favors. The case is still under appellate review.

Why did prosecutors previously decide not to charge Yoon in the luxury bag case?

In October 2024, prosecutors declined to pursue the case, saying there was a lack of connection to Yoon’s official duties. They also said later that they would not indict him on separate election law allegations over claims about his wife’s stock transactions because of a lack of evidence.

Ex-President Yoon indicted over wife's luxury bag case

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Summary

Prosecutors on Thursday indicted former President Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul on anti-graft charges tied to his wife Kim Keon Hee’s alleged receipt of a luxury bag in 2022. The indictment says he failed to report the Dior bag, worth 3 million won, as required by the anti-graft law. It is the latest criminal indictment against the jailed former president, who faces multiple trials after his failed 2024 martial law bid and ouster.

Key Facts

Prosecutors said Yoon was charged in connection with Kim Keon Hee’s alleged receipt of a Dior bag worth 3 million won from a pastor in 2022.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office said the charge concerns Yoon’s alleged failure to report the gift under the anti-graft law.
Prosecutors had decided not to pursue charges over the case in October 2024, when Yoon was still president, citing a lack of connection to his official duties.
A Seoul district court convicted Kim in June on charges related to accepting the luxury bag among other valuables in exchange for favors, and the case is now under appellate review.
Prosecutors separately decided not to indict Yoon on election law charges over alleged false statements about his wife’s stock transactions before the 2022 presidential election.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 17, 2026 3:04 pm KST

Former first lady Kim Keon Hee enters a courtroom at the Seoul Central District Court in southern Seoul, Sept. 24, 2025. Joint Press Corps

Prosecutors on Thursday indicted former President Yoon Suk Yeol on anti-graft charges in connection with his wife's alleged acceptance of a luxury bag in 2022, officials said.

It marks the latest criminal indictment against the jailed former president, who is standing multiple trials following his failed 2024 martial law bid and subsequent ouster from office.

In the latest case, Yoon faces charges of failing to report former first lady Kim Keon Hee's alleged receipt of the Dior bag, worth 3 million won ($2,170), from a pastor in 2022 as required by the anti-graft law, according to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office.

Prosecutors had decided not to pursue charges over the case in October 2024, when Yoon served as president, citing a lack of connection to his official duties.

The latest move comes after a Seoul district court in June convicted Kim on charges of accepting the luxury bag among other valuables in exchange for favors. The case is currently under review at an appellate court.

Separately, prosecutors decided not to indict Yoon on charges of violating the election law for allegedly speaking falsehoods about his wife's stock transactions in the lead up to the 2022 presidential election.

The prosecution said it would not seek charges against Yoon in the case due to a lack of evidence.

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