Special Prosecutor Summons Former Presidential Secretary Shin Su-jin for Questioning on July 4 Regarding Jongmyo Shrine Tea Gathering

[Financial News] Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki's Team is set to question a former presidential secretary for culture and sports in connection with allegations that Kim Keon-hee privately used Jongmyo Shrine.
On the 29th, Deputy Special Prosecutor Hyung-Geun Kim stated, "Regarding the allegations of Kim Keon-hee's private use of Jongmyo Shrine, we have sent a written summons by mail to Shin Su-jin, former Secretary to the President for Culture, Sports and Tourism, requesting her appearance as a suspect at 10 a.m. on July 4."
Kim Keon-hee is suspected of holding a tea gathering with outsiders at Mangmyoru Pavilion within Jongmyo Shrine in September last year. The event reportedly took place in an area normally closed to the public. Suspicion arose when it was revealed that CCTV recording was halted from 2:50 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. on the day of the gathering, which also fell on a public holiday.
The Korea Heritage Service recently reported during a National Assembly audit by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee that, during a preliminary inspection for the tea gathering at Jongmyo Shrine on September 2 last year, Kim Keon-hee instructed the Office of the Secretary to the President for Culture, Sports and Tourism to arrange for her to disembark at the Sobang Gate, proceed through Yeongnyeongjeon Hall to Mangmyoru Pavilion, and to open one section of the shrine so the interior of Yeongnyeongjeon Hall could be viewed.
Taking into account that Shin Su-jin was the secretary at the Office of the Secretary to the President for Culture, Sports and Tourism at the time, the special prosecutor's team has booked her as a suspect for abuse of authority. Investigators plan to question her about the circumstances that led to the tea gathering, the route taken, the instructions given to the Korea Heritage Service, and whether Kim Keon-hee issued direct orders. The team suspects that Kim Keon-hee, who held no official position or authority, used presidential resources for personal gain and intends to continue its investigation into her actions.
Meanwhile, the special prosecutor's team is coordinating the schedule to summon Lee Bae-yong, former Chairperson of the National Education Commission, next week in connection with bribery allegations. Lee is suspected of presenting a Golden Turtle to former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife before being appointed as Chairperson. Although the team has initiated a compulsory investigation and issued a summons, the questioning has been postponed due to a medical certificate citing surgery, and the schedule is still being adjusted.

theknight@fnnews.com Jung Kyung-soo Reporter