First Lady Kim Keon-hee Stands at Photo Line for the First Time... "Sincerely Sorry for the Concern"

[Financial News] Kim Keon-hee, wife of former President Yoon Seok-yeol, appeared at the Kim Keon-hee special investigation team (Min Joong-gi special prosecutor). It is the first time in constitutional history that a former or current president's spouse publicly appears as a suspect at an investigative agency.
Mrs. Kim appeared at the KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 6th to be summoned by the special investigation team. It has been 35 days since the special investigation team began its investigation.
Mrs. Kim left her residence, Acro Vista, at 9:32 a.m. and arrived at 10:10 a.m., past the notified time by the special investigation team. She was dressed in a white shirt, black skirt, and jacket.
Before appearing at the special investigation, Mrs. Kim met with reporters and said, "I sincerely apologize for causing concern to the public as someone who is nothing," and added, "I will receive the investigation well." When asked by reporters if she had anything to say to the public or why she received luxury necklaces and bags, she briefly replied, "I'm sorry," and went in for the investigation.
The special investigation team will proceed with the investigation immediately without the usual tea time with Special Prosecutor Min Joong-gi. Mrs. Kim's side will be accompanied by lawyers Choi Ji-woo, Yoo Jeong-hwa, and Chae Myeong-seong, while the special investigation team will deploy a deputy prosecutor-level official for a fierce battle.
On the day Mrs. Kim appeared at the special investigation team office, supporters were mixed, causing a chaotic situation. Supporters of former President Yoon wore red scarves with "YOON AGAIN" written on them and shouted slogans like "We protect President Yoon Seok-yeol." The opposing side continued their nerve battle by shouting, "Arrest Kim Keon-hee for stock manipulation of Yangpyeong Expressway."
Mrs. Kim is the first First Lady in constitutional history to stand at a photo line. In 2004, Lee Soon-ja, wife of former President Chun Doo-hwan, was investigated by the Central Investigation Department of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office regarding the slush fund case, but it was revealed after she returned home. Kwon Yang-sook, wife of former President Roh Moo-hyun, was also investigated as a reference in 2009, but it was revealed the next day. Last July, Mrs. Kim was investigated by the prosecution for the first time as a sitting First Lady regarding the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation allegations, but the investigation was conducted at a third location, raising suspicions of a "privileged investigation."
Mrs. Kim is facing 16 charges under the special investigation law, including the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation allegations. The special investigation team plans to start with the Deutsche Motors allegations and proceed with the investigation in the order of the Myung Tae-kyun nomination intervention allegations and the Geonjin monk solicitation allegations, followed by the Van Cleef luxury necklace allegations. It is reported that the special investigation team has prepared a 100-page questionnaire for the investigation.
The special investigation team is expected to continue a high-intensity investigation on this day. With more than 16 allegations surrounding Mrs. Kim, the special investigation team plans to secure statements from Mrs. Kim, the key suspect, to accelerate the investigation. However, given the numerous charges and extensive related content, the special investigation team is expected to adjust the schedule for additional summons in the future.
As a result, former President Yoon and his wife have become the first former presidential couple to both stand at a photo line. Last month, former President Yoon appeared at the photo line during two summons by the special investigation team on rebellion (Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-seok). With Mrs. Kim also standing at the photo line, an unprecedented situation has occurred where both a former presidential couple stand at the photo line. All three special investigations view former President Yoon and Mrs. Kim as suspects, making additional summons inevitable in the future.
Mrs. Kim's side plans to cooperate with the investigation as much as possible without exercising the right to remain silent. 
The special investigation team plans to question Mrs. Kim on this day about △whether she played the role of a financier in the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation △whether she received a recommendation from Myung Tae-kyun for the solicitation of former Deputy Prosecutor Kim Sang-min △whether she advised former lawmaker Kim Young-sun to relocate his constituency for the nomination of former Deputy Prosecutor Kim △the whereabouts of the items received from Geonjin monk Jeon Seong-bae and to whom the solicitation contents were delivered △the whereabouts and acquisition route of the Van Cleef necklace, etc.
Whether Mrs. Kim will be investigated late at night on this day will be decided depending on the progress of the investigation. Mrs. Kim's side requested the special investigation team to conclude the investigation before 6 p.m. for health reasons, but the special investigation team refused. However, since a night investigation is possible with Mrs. Kim's consent under the Human Rights Protection Investigation Regulations, if the investigation progresses slowly or additional investigation is deemed necessary, a night investigation is also possible. Especially if the special investigation team accepts Mrs. Kim's requests, there may be criticism that the special investigation team is conducting a lenient investigation, so the special investigation team is still considering continuing the night investigation in light of such public opinion.



theknight@fnnews.com Jung Kyung-soo Reporter