'Key Suspect in 16 Allegations' Kim Keon-hee Summoned for Investigation... Will the Special Prosecutor Expedite Securing Her Custody?

[Financial News] The Kim Keon-hee special prosecutor team (Min Joong-gi special prosecutor) summoned Kim Keon-hee, the spouse of former President Yoon Seok-yeol, for investigation. As the first former or current First Lady to stand at the photo line in constitutional history, Mrs. Kim expressed her intention to testify as sincerely as possible while remaining reticent. The special prosecutor team is considering various measures such as additional summons or requesting an arrest warrant instead of excessive investigation into Mrs. Kim, who is at the center of 16 allegations.
Mrs. Kim departed from her residence, Acro Vista, at around 9:32 a.m. on the 6th and arrived at the special prosecutor team's office located in the KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jung-gu, Seoul at around 10:10 a.m. Mrs. Kim appeared wearing a white shirt, black jacket, and skirt, and black flat shoes. 
Mrs. Kim maintained a reserved demeanor, keeping her posture as low as possible. Before appearing at the special prosecutor, she told reporters, "I sincerely apologize for causing concern as someone insignificant like me," and added, "I will undergo the investigation well." When asked by reporters, "Do you have anything to say to the public?" and "Why did you receive luxury necklaces and bags?" she briefly replied, "I'm sorry," and went in for the investigation. As she has been under public suspicion since 2020 due to various allegations, Mrs. Kim seems to be trying to quell the controversy and avoid the spotlight by keeping a low profile.
The special prosecutor team began the investigation at 10:23 a.m. without the usual tea time with Special Prosecutor Min Joong-gi and four assistant special prosecutors. From Mrs. Kim's side, lawyers Choi Ji-woo, Yoo Jeong-hwa, and Chae Myeong-seong attended, and from the special prosecutor's side, a deputy prosecutor-level official was involved in the intense debate. It is known that Deputy Prosecutor Han Moon-hyuk is investigating the 'Deutsche Motors stock manipulation allegation,' and Deputy Prosecutor In Hoon is investigating the 'Myung Tae-kyun nomination interference allegation.' The responsible prosecutor who has been continuing the investigation conducted the face-to-face investigation.
The special prosecutor team, which prepared about 100 pages of questions, took a 10-minute break during the morning investigation and completed about 1 hour and 30 minutes of investigation. After finishing her lunch with a lunch box prepared by the security office, Mrs. Kim resumed the investigation at 1 p.m. and took a 10-minute break from 2:14 p.m. before taking another 30-minute break from 2:39 p.m. It is understood that Mrs. Kim's side prepared an evening lunch box in anticipation of a prolonged investigation. As of 3 p.m., the special prosecutor team announced that more than half of the investigation prepared had been completed. It is said that Mrs. Kim's side did not present any health-related opinions that had been raised before.
In this investigation, like former President Yoon, video recording was not conducted as Mrs. Kim's side did not want it. Mrs. Kim did not exercise her right to remain silent and participated in the investigation. The special prosecutor team was aware of this and conducted the investigation smoothly with consideration.
The special prosecutor team conducted an investigation into five allegations that occurred in chronological order. Starting with the 'Deutsche Motors stock manipulation allegation,' where Mrs. Kim is pointed out as the main financier, it proceeded in the order of the 'Myung Tae-kyun nomination interference allegation' and the 'Geonjin Monk solicitation allegation' involving personnel and current issues. In addition, investigations continued into the 'Van Cleef & Arpels necklace allegation,' worth 60 million won, worn during the NATO tour, and the 'false statement allegation' of former President Yoon during the 2022 presidential election regarding the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation allegation, saying "there was a loss."
In the investigation that day, the special prosecutor team reportedly inquired about △whether Mrs. Kim played a financier role in the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation and designed it with former Black Pearl Investment representative Lee Jong-ho △whether she received a nomination request from Mr. Myung Tae-kyun for former lawmaker Kim Young-sun and former deputy prosecutor Kim Sang-min △whether she recommended the relocation of former lawmaker Kim Young-sun's constituency for the nomination of former deputy prosecutor Kim △whereabouts and solicitation details of items received from Geonjin Monk Jeon Seong-bae and to whom they were delivered △the whereabouts and acquisition route of the Van Cleef necklace.
After completing the first investigation of Mrs. Kim, the special prosecutor team is expected to proceed with additional summons. Even if the investigation into the core five allegations among the 16 was completed that day, additional investigations into the remaining 11 cases, such as the 'Sambu Construction stock manipulation allegation,' 'Butler Gate,' and 'Yangpyeong Expressway route change preferential treatment allegation,' are necessary. The special prosecutor team has already secured statements and solidified the charges through investigations of key suspects such as former representative Lee Jong-ho, Mr. Myung Tae-kyun, and lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun. If Mrs. Kim is summoned again for additional investigation, it is expected that the remaining charges will be investigated promptly.
There is also speculation that the special prosecutor team may quickly secure Mrs. Kim's custody for a speedy investigation. Within the legal community, there is a view that the special prosecutor team may request an arrest warrant for Mrs. Kim to conduct a fast-paced investigation into many charges. If the special prosecutor team requests an arrest warrant for Mrs. Kim and she is detained, it will be the first time in constitutional history that both a former and current presidential couple are detained.



theknight@fnnews.com Jung Kyung-soo Reporter