Background of the Incident
In 2022, it was alleged that Kim Keon-hee received a luxury bag, but the presidential records officially reported by the Presidential Office did not include this item. The Presidential Office stated that they have not yet determined whether the luxury bag received by Kim Keon-hee qualifies as a gift under the records management law.
Current State of Presidential Records Management
According to the data submitted by the Presidential Archives to the National Assembly, from May 10, 2022, when President Yoon Suk-yeol took office, to December 31, 2022, the Presidential Secretariat reported 3,252 non-electronic records. Among these, the gifts received by the presidential couple totaled 126 items, with the production department being the direct office of the Chief Presidential Secretary.
Chief Presidential Secretary Jeong Jin-seok stated during a National Assembly hearing that "the items are stored in their original packaging within the Presidential Office" and "the process of classifying them as presidential records has not yet reached its deadline."
Legal Provisions and Controversy
National Assembly member Yoon Kun-young pointed out that if the luxury bag received by Kim Keon-hee was recognized as a gift, it should have been reported by August 31 of the following year according to the records management law. The Presidential Records Management Act stipulates that gifts received by the president in the course of their duties, which are of preservation value, and gifts from foreigners given without compensation or related to official duties, are considered 'presidential gifts.' The law requires the submission of the previous year's records production status by August 31 each year.
Chief Secretary Jeong stated, "We will check if there was an omission," but added, "Whether it will be sent to the Presidential Archives requires a judgment on its relevance to official duties, and this is currently under investigation, so the decision is pending."
The Luxury Bag Controversy and Reactions
Chief Secretary Jeong characterized the luxury bag controversy involving Kim Keon-hee as "a deliberate approach by a pastor to the First Lady, claiming acquaintance with her late father, leading to illegal recording and filming, making it a low-grade and despicable scheme."
Conclusion
The reporting status of the luxury bag received by Kim Keon-hee highlights the importance of managing presidential records. Thorough documentation and management of presidential records according to the law are essential for transparent administration. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of presidential records management and calls for strict adherence to legal procedures.
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