On the morning of the 1st, the special investigation team related to Kim Keon-hee is conducting a search and seizure operation regarding the 'Housekeeper Gate' incident at HS HYOSUNG, IMS Mobility (formerly Be My Car), among others. The summons investigation for Jo Hyun-sang, vice chairman of HS HYOSUNG, scheduled for this day has been postponed to the 4th.
The special investigation team noted on the morning of this day, "We have commenced a search and seizure operation at the residences of individuals related to IMS Mobility and HS HYOSUNG," and added, "We notified a schedule change for the summons investigation of Vice Chairman Jo, which was planned for this morning, to next Monday (the 4th)." Initially, the special investigation team was scheduled to summon Vice Chairman Jo as a witness at 10 a.m. on this day.
The special investigation team is investigating the circumstances under which 18.4 billion won was invested in IMS Mobility, a rental car company associated with Kim Keon-hee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, and her mother, Choi Eun-sun, who was known as a close aide and housekeeper. The companies that invested include affiliates of HS HYOSUNG, Kakao, Korea Securities Finance Corporation, and Kiwoom Securities.
At the time of investment, the corporations were under investigation by the prosecution, creating legal risks. In this regard, suspicions were raised that Kim had used his relationship with Kim Keon-hee to resolve the risks, leading to the investments. Kim's company also listed itself as an investor in the exhibition planning company Kobana Contents, which is operated by Kim Keon-hee.
Kim is reported to have met Kim Keon-hee while attending the business school at Seoul National University in 2010. Kim served as the auditor for Kobana Contents from 2012 to 2015. He is the individual who created false balance certificates submitted to financial institutions when Kim Keon-hee's mother, Choi Eun-sun, purchased real estate under a borrowed name in 2013. He was convicted in this case and received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.