Yoon's lawyer dismisses claims of first lady visiting plastic surgery clinic before martial law declaration

Opposition lawmaker says Kim left clinic an hour before martial law, raising suspicion of prior knowledge

By KTimes

Seok Dong-hyun, President Yoon Suk Yeol's attorney, dismissed allegations by Rep. Jang Kyung-tae of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea that first lady Kim Keon Hee visited a plastic surgery clinic on Dec. 3, the day martial law was declared, calling it a "groundless rumor."

Seok, spokesperson for President Yoon Suk Yeol's legal team, criticized Jang’s claims on Facebook.

He compared them to a previous rumor spread by broadcaster Kim Ou-joon, who alleged that Han Dong-hoon, the former leader of the ruling People Power Party, was targeted for assassination by martial law troops, accusing Jang of "manufacturing a similarly baseless claim."

Earlier that day, Jang held a press conference at the National Assembly, alleging that Kim entered a plastic surgery clinic at 6:25 p.m. on Dec. 3 and stayed there for three hours, leaving at 9:30 p.m. — just an hour before the martial law declaration.

The basis of his claim was an anonymous tip from a self-proclaimed witness. Jang suggested Kim's timing indicated prior knowledge of the martial law declaration.

Jang said, “How could a civilian leave the clinic exactly an hour before martial law was declared unless she knew about it in advance?” He also pointed out that the clinic's director had been appointed as a presidential adviser in July 2022.

Seok rejected the allegations as “malicious speculation,” likening them to discredited rumors during former President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment. He added, “This is a revival of old tactics proven false, but bad habits don’t die easily.”

Seok further argued that the public has grown more discerning, saying, “The people are wise and have learned enough about opposition party fabrications during the impeachment process of President Park.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.