“No flower blooms for ten days, and no power lasts a decade.” This centuries-old Korean proverb seems eerily fitting for former First Lady Kim Keon-hee, whose rise in South Korea’s political sphere is now overshadowed by a scandal involving luxury jewelry allegedly received as bribes.
Central to the controversy is a dazzling Van Cleef & Arpels ‘Snowflake’ necklace, featuring 71 diamonds totaling over 3.04 carats. Kim Keon-hee wore this extravagant piece during the 2022 NATO summit, an appearance that has since drawn intense scrutiny.
Prosecutors are investigating whether the necklace—and other luxury items—were provided by a major construction company as bribes.
Observers have drawn striking comparisons to Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing Dynasty, famed for her obsession with jewels and absolute power. Cixi reportedly died clutching a Night-Shining Pearl (야명주), a mystical gem believed to glow for thousands of years.
The tale of Cixi’s lost pearl—entrusted to a young maid during the Boxer Rebellion and discovered decades later inside a pillow—resonates eerily with the current scandal. Both stories highlight the seductive influence of opulence and the cyclical nature of vanity, power, and downfall.
Kim Keon-hee’s apparent fascination with high-end jewelry and gemology has fueled criticism, with detractors framing her as a modern embodiment of imperial decadence. The ongoing investigation by the special counsel is keeping public attention fixed on the case, raising questions about ethics, transparency, and accountability at the highest levels of political influence.
As the scandal unfolds, Koreans are left wondering whether this is merely a contemporary controversy—or if history is repeating itself through the lens of modern luxury and power.
Sources: JoongAng Ilbo
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