Special Prosecutor to Summon Yoon Suk Yeol and Kim Keon-hee Again Next Month... 'Very Concerned' Over Kim Jin-woo's Warrant Rejection

The special prosecutor's team led by Min Joong-ki plans to summon former President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee again next month for questioning. As the team considers them central figures in various allegations, it is expected to accelerate its investigation to solidify the charges before the probe concludes.
Deputy Special Prosecutor Hyung-Geun Kim announced at a briefing on the 20th that Yoon Suk Yeol will be summoned on the 17th of next month, and Kim Keon-hee on the 4th and 11th, each at 10 a.m. The special prosecutor's team explained that it had coordinated schedules with their legal representatives for the summons. Initially, the team planned to summon both on the 24th and 26th, but their lawyers requested changes due to court schedules and health reasons.
The special prosecutor's team intends to investigate the various allegations surrounding both individuals. For Yoon Suk Yeol, the investigation will be broad in scope. He previously refused to comply with two summonses in August. The probe will cover the alleged intervention in Myung Tae-gyun's nomination, suspected involvement in personnel matters regarding former Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kim Sang-min, alleged influence-peddling by former Chairperson of the National Education Commission Lee Bae-yong, suspected interference in the People Power Party convention, and alleged lobbying by Lee Bong-gwan, chairman of SEOHEE CONSTRUCTION. The team aims to determine whether Yoon Suk Yeol was directly involved in these personnel and lobbying matters, as establishing his direct involvement is crucial to applying the charges.
Regarding Kim Keon-hee, the investigation will focus on various influence-peddling allegations. She will be questioned about the alleged receipt of a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, the alleged acceptance of a gold turtle and traditional Korean paper crafts from former Chairperson of the National Education Commission Lee Bae-yong, and the alleged acquisition of a Lee Ufan painting from former Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kim Sang-min. The team will seek to determine whether, in exchange for these items, she facilitated nominations, appointments, or lobbying through former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Notably, several key suspects, including Lee Bong-gwan, Geonjin Beopsa Jeon Sung-bae, and former Chairperson Lee Bae-yong, have recently admitted to delivering valuables to Kim Keon-hee, raising attention on whether she will testify to these facts during the upcoming investigation.
With the investigation period set to end on the 28th of next month, the special prosecutor's team is expediting its probe into those identified as central figures. Although Yoon Suk Yeol and Kim Keon-hee are considered at the center of the allegations, it will be difficult to bring charges without concrete evidence of their involvement.
The special prosecutor's team also expressed concern over the rejection of an arrest warrant for Kim Jin-woo, Kim Keon-hee's older brother. On the previous day, Jae-wook Jung, a judge at the Seoul Central District Court, stated that the prosecution had not sufficiently substantiated the charges, thus denying the warrant request. Deputy Special Prosecutor Hyung-Geun Kim remarked, "Even when suspects admit to destroying evidence in court, arrest warrants are being denied, causing significant setbacks in the investigation. If such acts of obstruction do not constitute grounds for detention and are seen as permissible under the law, it is a matter of grave concern. There can be no tolerance for acts that challenge the national judicial system, and this must be made clear to suspects within the legal process."
The special prosecutor's team stated it would decide whether to reapply for an arrest warrant for Kim Jin-woo after conducting supplementary investigations. A team official noted, "There is considerable concern about the message sent to suspects when arrest warrants are not issued, even when the destruction of evidence is acknowledged as a reason for detention. We will decide on reapplying for the warrant after additional investigation."
Additionally, the special prosecutor's team has launched a compulsory investigation into those who assisted Kihun Lee, former vice chairman of SAMBU CONSTRUCTION, in his escape. The team conducted searches and seizures targeting three individuals, including the chairman of a KOSPI-listed company and the head of a lending firm, who allegedly aided Lee's flight. Prosecutors and investigators were dispatched to seven locations, including company offices, residences, and a villa in the Seoul metropolitan area. The team suspects they provided Lee with a hideout, arranged a driver for his escape, and supplied items such as a portable Wi-Fi device and SIM cards.

[email protected] Jung Kyung-soo Reporter