Silence on Necklace, Non-compliance on Summons... Kim Geon-hee's Brother and Yoon Side by Side 'Uncooperative'

[Financial News]  Kim Geon-hee's brother, Kim Jin-woo, refused to provide specific testimony in the special prosecutor's investigation regarding the authenticity of an expensive necklace. On the same day, former President Yoon Seok-yeol also did not comply with the second summons notification from the special prosecutor's team, citing health deterioration.

According to the legal community and investigative authorities on the 30th, Kim appeared at the special prosecutor's office in Gwanghwamun, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 28th and was questioned, but remained silent about the necklace in question. This necklace is known to be a Van Cleef & Arpels product worn by Mrs. Kim during her attendance at a NATO summit, and the special prosecutor seized it from Kim's mother-in-law's residence.

Mrs. Kim's side claimed the necklace is a counterfeit, but Kim reportedly refused to make related statements during the investigation. The special prosecutor's team views whether this necklace was a bribe as a key suspicion and is considering bribery charges. Therefore, an investigation is also underway to determine if Kim is deliberately avoiding testimony.

On the same day, the special prosecutor also re-notified former President Yoon Seok-yeol to appear. Yoon, who did not comply with the summons the previous day, maintained his position that it is difficult to move due to chronic illness. His legal team explained that he has been diagnosed with concerns of blindness due to worsening diabetes, elevated liver levels, and eye disease symptoms.

The special prosecutor stated that it is difficult to view Yoon's consecutive non-compliance with the summons as justified, and announced plans to officially consider requesting an arrest warrant. Special Prosecutor Moon Hong-joo mentioned in a briefing the previous day, "If he does not appear this time, we may proceed with forced investigation."

The special prosecutor is also considering the possibility of directly requesting an arrest warrant for Yoon without additional summons and is internally reviewing specific plans to execute this.

Former President Yoon has been detained at Seoul Detention Center since the 10th on charges of rebellion and foreign exchange by Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-seok. He has not appeared in any related investigations or trials so far.

The special prosecutor's investigation into Mrs. Kim Geon-hee is focusing on allegations of violating the Public Official Ethics Act and bribery, including the necklace, and is also examining the connection with former President Yoon.theknight@fnnews.com Jeong Kyung-soo Reporter