The special prosecutor team, led by Kwon Chang-young, is intensifying its investigation into allegations surrounding the relocation of the presidential residence by summoning former presidential chief secretary Yoon Jae-soon for questioning.
On June 5, the special prosecutor's office announced in a media statement that it is investigating Yoon as a suspect for abuse of power, having summoned him for questioning starting at 10 a.m. today.
Yoon, who oversaw the practical aspects of the presidential residence's relocation in 2022, is accused of illegally reallocating 2.8 billion won from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's budget to pay an unqualified contractor, 21 Gram.
The special prosecutor's team believes that despite objections from relevant departments, Yoon and other officials from the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, including former chief of staff Kim Dae-ki, directed the illegal reallocation of the budget from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Government Building Management Headquarters. They are currently under investigation and detention.
Additionally, the special prosecutor's team has determined that former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min was also involved in the process, questioning him as a suspect for abuse of power the day before. They have gathered testimonies indicating that Lee retaliated against employees who opposed the budget reallocation by excluding them from promotions and applying pressure.
Furthermore, the special prosecutor's team is continuing its investigation into potential involvement from higher-ups, including former President Yoon Suk-yeol, during the relocation process.
The detention period for Yoon and Kim is set to expire on June 10. The special prosecutor's team plans to conclude its investigation and decide on charges before this deadline. Given the urgency of the matter, a direct investigation into former President Yoon is expected to take place soon.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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