Seoul: The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission has requested an official police investigation into its own 2024 decision regarding former first lady Kim Keon Hee's acceptance of a luxury handbag from Korean American pastor Choi Jae-young. The decision to acquit Kim of violating the anti-graft law has come under scrutiny, prompting the commission to reconsider its stance.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the controversy began when Kim accepted a Dior handbag, which led to widespread criticism and a formal complaint alleging a breach of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. However, the commission initially cleared her of any wrongdoing, citing a lack of specific regulations pertaining to the spouses of public officials under the law.

In March this year, the commission initiated a task force to reassess the controversial decision. This move followed the appointment of a new chief after the ousting of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over a failed martial law attempt, and the subsequent election of President Lee Jae Myung. The task force discovered that then-deputy commission chief Chung Seung-yun held an unofficial meeting at Yoon's official residence. Chung was also accused of unfair treatment towards a senior official handling the handbag case, who later tragically committed suicide.

The commission announced on Friday that it would refer the case to the police for a thorough investigation. Additionally, the task force revisited another 2024 decision concerning the medical staff who transported Lee Jae Myung, then an opposition leader, by helicopter for treatment after a knife attack. The original ruling deemed the transport as preferential treatment, a breach of conduct, but the task force concluded that the decision was within the medical staff's authority and did not constitute a violation.