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Tuesday, December 3, 2024

#SOUTHKOREA--Dior Handbag Scandal--ITALIAN CONNECTION

  

//WHITELIGHTNING//AIRESEARCH//IMMEDREL//12/03/24/1330PST


#SOUTHKOREA Dior Handbag Scandal--12/03/24/1330PST:  Cheap Chinese labor in Italian sweatshops nets Seoul First Lady a prize, her government on verge of topple, #martiallaw imposed, troops in the streets busting citizens.


(Begin Perplexity-AI)

voice of seoul


"Voice of Seoul" is a South Korean media outlet, distinct from the North Korean international broadcasting service "Voice of Korea." Here are some key points about "Voice of Seoul":

Media Outlet

"Voice of Seoul" is a news channel and media organization based in Seoul, South Korea. It is known for its liberal stance and has been involved in several high-profile news stories and controversies
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Legal Issues

The channel has faced legal challenges, including a recent case where it was ordered to pay 10 million won (approximately $7,539 USD) in compensation to South Korea's first lady, Kim Keon Hee, for broadcasting recordings of her phone conversations. This ruling was made by the Seoul Central District Court after Kim filed a suit claiming violations of her privacy and honor
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Online Presence

"Voice of Seoul" maintains an active presence on social media and YouTube, where it posts news updates, reports, and other content. The channel's YouTube account is officially recognized as the media outlet's channel
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Public Controversies

The outlet has been at the center of several public controversies, including plans by fan clubs of other public figures to press charges against it for various reasons. For example, the fan club of Kim Kun-hee announced plans to press charges against "Voice of Seoul" in 2022
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.Overall, "Voice of Seoul" is a significant media entity in South Korea, known for its investigative reporting and its involvement in high-profile cases.

Full Text: voice of seoul

voice of seoul dior handbag scandal



The "Dior bag scandal" involving South Korea's First Lady, Kim Keon-hee, was significantly amplified by the actions of a left-leaning YouTube channel called Voice of Seoul. Here are the key points related to Voice of Seoul's role in the scandal:

Video Release and Evidence

Voice of Seoul released a secretly filmed video in November 2023, which showed Kim Keon-hee receiving a Christian Dior handbag valued at approximately 3 million won ($2,900) from Korean-American pastor Choi Jae-young. The video was filmed using a spy camera hidden in Choi's wristwatch during a meeting in September 2022 at Kim's art exhibition company, Covana Contents
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Provision of Equipment

The YouTube channel provided Choi with the wristwatch containing the spy camera and the Dior handbag itself, which was used to capture the evidence of the gift exchange
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Public Impact

The release of the video sparked widespread controversy and public outrage. It was seen as a violation of South Korea's anti-graft law, which prohibits public officials and their spouses from receiving gifts valued at more than 1 million won ($748) at a time or a total of 3 million won in a single year from the same person
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Political Fallout

The scandal has had significant political implications, including a drop in President Yoon Suk-yeol's approval ratings to a nine-month low of 29% and divisions within his conservative People Power Party. The opposition Democratic Party of Korea has used the scandal to criticize the government, and there have been calls for Kim to apologize and for Yoon to address the issue more sincerely
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Investigation

The scandal led to Kim being questioned by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office for around 12 hours in July 2024. The investigation focused on whether receiving the Dior handbag constituted a violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, as well as her involvement in other alleged wrongdoings, such as stock price manipulation



The Italian Connection



DIOR SCANDAL CHINESE WORKERS ITALY


The recent scandal involving Dior and the exploitation of Chinese workers in Italy highlights significant labor violations and ethical concerns within the luxury fashion industry.

Key Findings

  • Investigation and Court Ruling: A Milan court has placed Manufactures Dior SRL, a subsidiary of Christian Dior Italia SRL and part of the LVMH group, under judicial administration for one year. This decision follows an investigation that revealed the company had subcontracted work to Chinese-owned firms in Italy, which were found to be exploiting workers
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Labor Exploitation

  • Working Conditions: Workers at these Chinese-owned suppliers were subjected to substandard hygiene and health conditions. They were forced to sleep at the workplaces to ensure their availability around the clock, and safety devices on machines were removed to expedite production. This led to dangerous working conditions and long hours without adequate rest
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Financial Exploitation

  • Low Wages and High Markups: The suppliers were paid very low amounts for producing luxury goods. For example, Dior paid as little as €53 ($57) for a handbag that retails for €2,600 ($2,794). This significant markup highlights the financial exploitation of workers and the profit-driven nature of these practices
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Documentation and Immigration Issues**

  • Undocumented Workers: The investigation found that two workers were undocumented immigrants, and seven others lacked sufficient documentation. This vulnerability made them more susceptible to exploitation
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Broader Industry Implications**

  • Systemic Issue: The court's ruling suggests that labor exploitation is a systemic issue in the Italian luxury fashion sector. Similar investigations have been conducted into other luxury brands, such as Giorgio Armani, indicating a widespread problem
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Consumer Deception**

  • "Made in Italy" Label: The use of the "Made in Italy" label by luxury brands like Dior and Armani has been questioned, as it does not guarantee that the products were made under fair and high-quality conditions. Instead, it often masks exploitative labor practices
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Regulatory Action**

  • Antitrust Authority Investigation: Italy's antitrust authority is also investigating whether Armani and Dior have misled consumers about their production processes, which could result in fines up to €10 million
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Response from Companies**

  • LVMH and Dior: While Dior acknowledged the illicit practices at its suppliers and expressed disapproval, the company did not face criminal charges. LVMH representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment
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This scandal underscores the need for greater oversight and ethical responsibility within the luxury fashion industry to prevent such labor abuses.


(End Perplexity-AI) 



//WHITELIGHTNING//AIRESEARCH//IMMEDREL//12/03/24/1330PST
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