On the 28th, the special investigation team summoned Kim Jin-woo, the brother of Kim Keon-hee.
The special investigation team noted that they were in the process of questioning him that afternoon. He is implicated in receiving preferential treatment through Kim Keon-hee during the development of the Yangpyeong Gongheung district. The team also believes that he attempted to conceal the "Van Cleef & Arpels necklace" known to have been worn by Kim Keon-hee during her overseas visit in 2022.
ESI&D, the family company of Kim Keon-hee, conducted a urban development project on 22,411 square meters in Gongheung-ri, Yangpyeong-gun, building an apartment complex with 350 units from 2011 to 2016.
However, concerns over preferential treatment arose as it became known that no development fees were imposed during the project, and the deadline for the project was retroactively extended.
According to a 2017 audit report, equity in ESI&D was held by Kim Jin-woo, the eldest son, and Kim Jin-han, the second son, at 29.8% each, Choi Eun-soon at 21.0%, and Kim Ji-young, Kim Keon-hee's sister, at 19.4%.
The Van Cleef & Arpels necklace was reportedly worn by Kim Keon-hee at a Korean community event in Spain during a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit schedule at the end of June 2022. If genuine, the necklace is estimated to be worth around 60 million won.
However, since the necklace was not included in the asset list reported by former President Yoon Suk-yeol, controversy regarding asset declaration omissions has arisen. Kim Keon-hee's side rebutted that the necklace is a fake.
On the 25th, the special investigation team discovered the necklace during a search of Kim Jin-woo's mother-in-law's residence. Thus, the team believes that he attempted to conceal the necklace.
In connection with this, the special investigation team stated in a regular briefing that they plan to go through a verification process to confirm whether the necklace is genuine.