The special prosecutor’s investigation into South Korea’s First Lady Kim Keon-hee has taken a surprising twist, now dubbed the “Cinderella Investigation” after 12 pairs of Chanel shoes were discovered during a search of her Seocho-dong residence.
While earlier reports indicated that Unification Church figure Jeon Jae-soo had passed two Chanel bags to Kim via an intermediary, the plot thickened when Kim’s ex-aide allegedly exchanged those items for three other handbags and multiple pairs of Chanel shoes — all in size 250mm. Yet, during the July 25 raid, only 260mm shoes were found at her home.
This raised speculation that the First Lady may have proactively swapped out the shoes to dodge accusations. Democratic Party’s legal deputy chair Cho Ki-yeon suggested on Channel A’s Direct Shot Show, “It’s possible she replaced all the Chanel shoes in her home with 260mm versions in anticipation of the special counsel’s search.”
Defenders, however, argue the luxury goods are proportionate to her wealth. Lawyer Kang Dae-kyu stated on Ilta News, “Wouldn’t someone with 7 billion KRW in assets own a few Chanel shoes?” People Power Party spokesperson Park Min-young echoed that sentiment, noting her net worth exceeding 8 billion KRW and dismissing the claims as lacking hard evidence.
But the controversy extends beyond footwear. The special counsel also found a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace — reportedly worn by Kim during a 2022 NATO trip — at the home of her brother’s mother-in-law. Though her team previously claimed the necklace was a fake and had been lost, the recovered item was still in its original box, albeit lacking certification or serial numbers. This necklace, alongside a Cartier bracelet and Tiffany brooch, were all estimated to exceed 80 million KRW in value — and would require official disclosure under the Public Official Ethics Act if authentic.
Kim’s legal team continues to maintain that the jewelry is a replica, defending her use of accessories by saying, “Other First Ladies wear jewelry; it would have been inappropriate not to.” As the investigation unfolds, prosecutors are probing not only the authenticity of the items but also whether any evidence manipulation or false declarations occurred. The outcome could have significant ramifications for both Kim Keon-hee and the broader political landscape surrounding President Yoon Suk-yeol.
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