The special investigation team led by Min Jung-ki, which is investigating allegations related to Kim Keon-hee, summoned Jo Mo, the CEO of IMS Mobility, the center of the 'Housekeeper Gate' allegations, on the 2nd.
Jo appeared at the special investigation team's office set up in the KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, Seoul, around 9:26 a.m. on that day. When asked if investments in IMS Mobility were made fairly, he said, 'Not only 18 billion won but also up to now, 70 billion won has been invested without any external involvement,' adding, 'All investments are the result of IMS's technological prowess and the efforts of over 150 young employees.'
Min Mo, the representative of the private equity firm OA Equity Partners, was also summoned on that day for questioning. He did not respond to questions such as, 'Was the investment of 18.4 billion won secured fairly?' and 'Where did the 4.6 billion won that was allegedly controlled by Housekeeper Kim Yae-sung go?' It has been reported that both Jo and Min hold the status of suspects under investigation for breach of duty.
The special investigation team is investigating the circumstances surrounding 18.4 billion won in investments made in 2023 by corporations such as Kakao Mobility, HS HYOSUNG, Shinhan Bank, Korea Securities Finance, and Kiwoom Securities in IMS Mobility, a rental car company linked to Kim Keon-hee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, and her acquaintance, Kim Yae-sung, who was referred to as a housekeeper. At that time, IMS Mobility's liabilities (141.4 billion won) exceeded its net worth (56.6 billion won), essentially placing it in a capital impairment state.
At the time of the investment, corporations faced legal risks, including investigations by the prosecution. In this context, allegations have emerged that Kim expected to resolve these risks by leveraging his friendship with Kim Keon-hee during the investment. Kim's company also appeared as an investor in the exhibition planning company Kobana Contents, operated by Kim Keon-hee.
Of the investment funds, 4.6 billion won was used to purchase old shares of IMS Mobility, which were held by the venture company Innovest Korea, from which suspicions of Kim's proxy corporation have emerged. It is reported that Jeong admitted during questioning by the special investigation team on the 23rd of last month that Kim is the actual owner of Innovest Korea.
It is known that Kim has been staying in Vietnam since leaving the country in April. The special investigation team has begun procedures for an Interpol red notice to secure Kim's whereabouts.