The special prosecutor for Kim Keon-hee said on the 23rd, "The side of Mrs. Kim requested a discussion on the investigation method," adding, "The discussion is unnecessary, and attendance on the notified date is sufficient." Earlier, the special prosecutor notified Mrs. Kim to appear for questioning on August 6 at 10 a.m.
On that day, Deputy Special Prosecutor Moon Hong-joo stated at a regular briefing, "There was a request from the lawyer who received the summons notice for Kim Keon-hee to discuss the investigation method," and noted, "The special prosecutor conveyed that no separate discussion is necessary, and attending on the notified date is sufficient."
When reporters asked about the contents requested by Mrs. Kim's side, Deputy Special Prosecutor Moon said, "The discussion procedure has not progressed," adding, "There was a request to discuss the investigation method, but specifically, it is difficult to disclose the contents."
However, Deputy Special Prosecutor Moon said, "The lawyer's side asked whether it would be possible to visit to discuss the investigation method, and the special prosecutor responded, 'Since the date was notified with ample time, there is nothing special to discuss.'" He added, "There was no exchange of opinions on specifically how it would be done." When reporters asked, "Did Mrs. Kim request to appear privately?" he replied, "That is not the case."
Additionally, Deputy Special Prosecutor Moon said, "Executive Vice President Cho Hyun-sang of HS HYOSUNG conveyed his intention to return to Korea on July 31 and attend the special prosecutor's office on August 1 through his lawyer." Earlier, Vice President Cho had failed to respond to the special prosecutor's summons regarding the 'housekeeper suspicion' on the 21st.
The special prosecutor is investigating the circumstances surrounding the 18.4 billion won investment in IMS Mobility, a rental car company led by Kim Ye-sung, who was called a close aide and housekeeper to Mrs. Kim and her mother, Choi Eun-soon. The invested companies include HS HYOSUNG affiliates, Kakao, Korea Securities Finance, and Kiwoom Securities.
In connection with this, the special prosecutor has been summoning Kim Ye-sung's wife, Ms. Jeong, for questioning since the morning. Kim is reportedly currently in Vietnam. Instead of Kim, who is abroad, his wife, Ms. Jeong, was the first to attend the special prosecutor's office.
Moreover, Deputy Special Prosecutor Moon announced that the Unification Church is continuing a search and seizure operation against the Korea Export-Import Bank, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Heerim Architects & Planners related to the suspected request for a Cambodian Official Development Assistance (ODA) project through 'Gunjin Beopsa' Jeon Seong-bae since the 21st.
In relation to this suspicion, the special prosecutor summoned former Unification Church Secretary-General Yoon Young-ho as a suspect for questioning on the 22nd. Former Secretary-General Yoon is suspected of delivering two Chanel bags worth 20 million won and a Graf diamond necklace worth 60 million won and Cheonsu-sam concentrate to Jeon Seong-bae for the purpose of requesting current issues from the Unification Church to Mrs. Kim between April and June 2022.