The second special prosecutor team, led by Kwon Chang-young, is investigating allegations related to the relocation of the presidential residence and plans to summon Kim Geon-hee for questioning on July 19.
Special Prosecutor Kim Ji-mi held a regular briefing on July 13 at the special prosecutor's office in Gwacheon, stating, "We will summon Mrs. Kim on the morning of the 19th. We plan to investigate allegations that she was involved in the selection of contractors for the residence construction through former presidential secretary Kim O-jin."
The special prosecutor's office is looking into claims that 21Gram provided Mrs. Kim with luxury items, including Dior clothing, and that she improperly used her status as the spouse of the president to help 21Gram, which lacks a general construction license, secure a contract for the residence construction.
The investigation aims to confirm whether Mrs. Kim inappropriately influenced the contractor selection process for the presidential residence.
Previously, on July 7, the special prosecutor's office investigated Yoo Kyung-ok, a former administrative officer in the presidential office and an employee of the company operated by Mrs. Kim, for alleged complicity in bribery under the Specific Crimes Aggravated Punishment Act.
Meanwhile, the special prosecutor's office is conducting a comprehensive investigation into allegations related to Mrs. Kim. However, with the investigation deadline approaching on July 24, they plan to continue the investigation with the possibility of a third extension.
Special Prosecutor Kim noted regarding the 'Yangpyeong Expressway route change allegations' that, "We summoned former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong last week, but he was unavailable for questioning."
The allegations center on claims that the endpoint of the Yangpyeong Expressway was changed from Yangseo-myeon in Yangpyeong County to Gangsan-myeon, where land owned by Mrs. Kim's family is located, after the Yoon Suk-yeol administration took office. Following the emergence of these allegations, former Minister Won declared the project canceled.
The special prosecutor's office believes that despite receiving legal advice indicating potential violations during the cancellation process, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport issued a press release stating there were no legal issues, suggesting that former Minister Won did not follow proper procedures in canceling the project.
In this regard, Special Prosecutor Kim stated, "We plan to investigate whether former Minister Won complied with legal procedures during the cancellation decision process and will consider issuing a summons in anticipation of an extension of the investigation period."
Additionally, the special prosecutor's office is looking into allegations that Mrs. Kim attempted to cover up investigations related to stock manipulation involving Deutsche Motors. Last week, former presidential secretary Lee Won-mo and former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung were questioned, with reports indicating that Lee responded to all questions with, "I do not remember," while Shim denied the allegations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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