Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor, 'Butler' Spouse Summoned for Investigation... Shinhan Bank and Gyeongnam Steel Also Attend

[Financial News] The Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Team (Min Jung-gi Special Prosecutor) is investigating the spouse of Kim Ye-seong, known as Kim Geon-hee's butler, and officials from Shinhan Bank and Gyeongnam Steel involved in the 'Butler Gate'.
Kim's spouse, Ms. Jeong, former Shinhan Bank Vice President Jeong Geun-su, and Gyeongnam Steel CEO Choi Seok-woo attended the special prosecutor's office at the KT West Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 23rd.
Ms. Jeong did not respond to questions such as "Where is your husband currently?" and "Is it true that your husband obtained 4.6 billion won through a borrowed-name corporation?"
Former Vice President Jeong also did not answer questions like "Was Kim involved in the background of the IMS Mobility investment?" and "Do you know Kim Ye-seong, the butler of the Kim family?"
However, CEO Choi responded to questions about the investment background by saying, "It was part of normal investment activities" and "I do not know Kim at all."
At 2 PM on the same day, a representative from another investment company, JB Woori Capital, is scheduled to attend.
The 'Butler Gate' allegations involve suspicions that companies invested in IMS Mobility (Be My Car), which Kim, Kim Geon-hee's butler, participated in founding, in 2023. At that time, IMS Mobility was in a state of capital erosion, with more liabilities than net assets, but received investments of 18.4 billion won from Shinhan Bank, Gyeongnam Steel, Kakao Mobility, HS Hyosung, and Korea Securities Finance.
Kim is also suspected of selling shares worth over 4.6 billion won from the 18.4 billion won investment to make a profit. The borrowed-name company Kim used is identified as InnoVest Korea, where Kim's wife, Ms. Jeong, is registered as the sole internal director, raising suspicions that it might be a borrowed-name company owned by Kim.
On this day, the special prosecutor team is expected to question Ms. Jeong about △the circumstances and background of her registration as an internal director of InnoVest Korea △the reason for selling old shares △the use of the 4.6 billion won.
Kim became a red notice target after leaving for Vietnam in April and losing contact with the special prosecutor team, leading to an arrest warrant being issued.

theknight@fnnews.com Jeong Kyung-su Reporter