The second special investigation team, led by Special Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, is conducting its first questioning of Kim Geon-hee regarding allegations of preferential treatment related to the relocation of former President Yoon Suk-yeol's residence. With the investigation period unusually extended three times, the team is expected to exert maximum effort to achieve results in this case.
Starting at 10 a.m. on July 22, the special prosecutor summoned Kim Geon-hee as a suspect in violations of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, including bribery and abuse of power. This marks the first time Kim has appeared before the special prosecutor.
Kim, who is currently in custody, was transported to the investigation room in a Ministry of Justice vehicle, and her appearance was not made public. Initially, her questioning was scheduled for July 19 but was postponed twice due to health issues.
Her attorney, Chae Myung-sung, stated, "The allegations raised are merely unilateral claims by the special prosecutor and are not true. Kim Geon-hee has had no involvement in the awarding of contracts for the residence construction."
Kim is accused of being involved in the selection of contractors for the presidential residence construction. The special prosecutor is investigating claims that 21gram provided Kim with luxury items, including Dior clothing, and that she improperly used her status as the spouse of the president to secure a contract for 21gram.
Additionally, it is suspected that Kim colluded with former Chief of Staff Kim Dae-ki and former Administrative Secretary Kim O-jin to illegally divert the Ministry of Interior and Safety's budget to pay 21gram for construction costs, and that she played a role in the alleged concealment of the results of an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection during the relocation.
The special prosecutor previously announced in a regular briefing that they prepared a 150-page questionnaire, indicating a focus on substantiating the allegations against Kim. However, given the extensive nature of the charges, the possibility of further summons remains open.
Notably, a bill to extend the special prosecutor's mandate for a third time was passed in the National Assembly the previous day, led by the Democratic Party, prompting analysis that the special prosecutor must now deliver results.
While the special prosecutor has adopted a 'Heavy Tail' strategy, focusing on requesting arrest warrants or filing charges in the latter stages of the investigation, they have yet to secure half of the suspects in custody. Skepticism regarding the extension has grown due to minimal investigative results and excessive budget expenditures.
In this context, attention is drawn to whether the special prosecutor can achieve results related to the residence relocation allegations and successfully shift the atmosphere based on the questioning of Kim Geon-hee, who is considered a key figure.
The special prosecutor has already indicted former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, former Chief Secretary Yoon Jae-soon, and former Chief of Staff Kim Dae-ki regarding the allegations of illegal budget diversion to pay 21gram. On July 20, they successfully secured the custody of Yoo Byeong-ho, an audit committee member under investigation for alleged inadequate audits related to the presidential residence relocation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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