Ruling party demands first lady of South Korea to step back from public activities

ANKARA

South Korea's ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Thursday intensified its demand for first lady Kim Keon Hee to withdraw from public engagements, following the party's success in key by-elections the previous day.

PPP leader Han Dong-hoon also called for a reshuffle in the presidential office to remove individuals associated with the controversial first lady who are believed to exert “undue influence” over state matters, according to a report by Seoul-based Yonhap News.

"First lady Kim Keon Hee should refrain from public activities in keeping with her promise during the presidential election. The people's worries and concerns must be resolved once and for all this time," Han stated during a meeting of the party’s supreme council.

The PPP secured two out of four available seats in Wednesday's by-elections, reflecting public confidence in Han's leadership.

Kim has faced multiple allegations, including involvement in a stock manipulation scheme, accepting a luxury bag illegally, and interfering with the PPP's candidate nominations prior to last April's general elections.

However, prosecutors have opted not to indict Kim for her alleged role in the stock manipulation scheme involving Deutsch Motors Inc., a BMW dealer, determining that she was unaware her accounts were being used for manipulation.

In response to the prosecutors' decision, Han remarked, "It remains to be seen whether the prosecutors' explanation is convincing to the people."