'Relocation Privileges'—Former Presidential Office Officials Arrested as Investigation Accelerates Ahead of Deadline

[The Financial News] Former officials from the Office of the President of South Korea have been arrested one after another over allegations that a specific company received preferential treatment during the relocation of the presidential residence under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.
On the 17th, Lee Jung-jae, the judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, issued arrest warrants for Kim Oh-jin, former Vice Minister of MOLIT, and Mr. Hwang, a former administrative officer in the Office of the President, on charges including abuse of authority, violation of the Framework Act on the Construction Industry, and aggravated fraud under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes. The court explained that the warrants were issued due to concerns over evidence destruction.
The Kim Keon Hee Special Prosecutor Team, led by Min Joong-ki, suspects that, under the involvement of former President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, 21 Grams was selected as the contractor for the relocation and expansion of the presidential residence.
The special prosecutor is focusing on several points: 21 Grams sponsored exhibitions hosted by Cobana Contents, operated by Kim Keon Hee; the company was responsible for the design and construction of the Cobana Contents office; and the couple who run 21 Grams are known to have close personal ties with Kim Keon Hee.
The Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) reported last September that 21 Grams began work before a contract was signed during the relocation process, that unqualified companies participated in the construction, and that the project was approved without a completion inspection. Since August, the special prosecutor has conducted raids and summons investigations on 21 Grams, Kim Oh-jin, and other related parties.
The special prosecutor suspects that Kim Keon Hee may have instructed that 21 Grams, with whom she had personal connections, be awarded the contract for the relocation of the presidential residence.
Kim Oh-jin, when questioned at last year's audit by the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee of the National Assembly, stated he could not recall who recommended 21 Grams. However, he emphasized, 'It was not recommended by Kim Keon Hee.'
In 2022, Kim Oh-jin served as the head of the first division of the 20th Presidential Transition Committee's Presidential Office Relocation Task Force (TF), overseeing the practical aspects of the residence relocation. He later served as Secretary to the President for Administrative Affairs. Mr. Hwang also worked in the first division of the TF alongside Kim Oh-jin.
Ahead of Kim Oh-jin's pretrial detention hearing, the special prosecutor prepared a 300-page opinion and a 120-page presentation to emphasize the necessity of his detention.
With the suspects now in custody, the special prosecutor plans to focus investigative efforts on the allegations surrounding the relocation of the presidential residence by former President Yoon and his wife, as the investigation period is set to expire on the 28th. Since there is only one opportunity left to question Yoon Suk Yeol, the team is expected to concentrate on clarifying the extent of his involvement. As Yoon is scheduled to be questioned on the 20th, the special prosecutor will also examine whether any instructions were given at the request of Kim Keon Hee.
theknight@fnnews.com Jung Kyung-soo Reporter