The Special Prosecutor's Office, led by Kwon Chang-young, is accelerating its investigation into allegations of a cover-up involving Kim Geon-hee, the wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol. The office is currently questioning Lee Chang-soo, the former head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, and plans to summon former National Police Chief Yoon Hee-keun as a suspect soon.
On June 19, the Special Prosecutor's Office announced that it had notified Lee to appear for questioning on June 23. Lee has not yet responded regarding his attendance.
The investigation is examining whether there was external pressure on the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office when it decided not to prosecute Kim Geon-hee in connection with allegations of stock manipulation involving Deutsche Motors and the receipt of a luxury bag from Dior. The Special Prosecutor's Office appears to be summoning Lee to clarify what reports and decisions were made by the prosecution's leadership at that time.
In May 2024, Lee instructed the formation of a dedicated investigation team regarding the allegations involving Kim Geon-hee's luxury bag. However, a reshuffle of senior prosecutors occurred later that month, leading to changes in the leadership of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, which sparked controversy over alleged bypassing of the prosecutor general.
The Special Prosecutor's Office is also focusing on evidence suggesting that Kim Geon-hee inquired about the investigation's progress from former Justice Minister Park Sung-jae. Documents obtained by the office reportedly include messages from Kim asking Park, "What is the status of my investigation?" and indicating a need to check with the head of the prosecution's department regarding the person who ordered the formation of the investigation team.
The office is expected to investigate whether Lee received any directives or requests from higher authorities, such as the Ministry of Justice or the presidential office, during the investigation process, and whether the handling of Kim Geon-hee's case followed the normal prosecution chain of command.
Kim Geon-hee has been accused of receiving a luxury bag from Pastor Choi Jae-young in 2022. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office decided not to prosecute her in October of the previous year, citing a lack of relevance or quid pro quo. The investigation team faced criticism for conducting the questioning of Kim outside the prosecutor's office, leading to allegations of preferential treatment.
The Special Prosecutor's Office is also reviewing the non-prosecution decision related to the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation allegations. The investigation is examining the potential influence exerted by Kim Geon-hee and the involvement of the prosecution's leadership in the overall cover-up allegations.
The investigation appears to be expanding to include the entire prosecution leadership at that time. The Special Prosecutor's Office confirmed that Lee Chang-soo is currently being questioned as a suspect regarding charges of forgery of official documents.
Additionally, in relation to the allegations of covering up the Unification Church investigation, former National Police Chief Yoon Hee-keun is scheduled to appear as a suspect for questioning on the morning of June 23.
Legal experts are noting that as the Special Prosecutor's Office seeks testimonies from the leadership of both the prosecution and police, there is a possibility that the investigation could extend to the Ministry of Justice and the presidential office.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.