Former President Yoon Suk-yeol's wife, Kim Keon-hee, will appear before the special investigation team on the 6th to be questioned regarding around 10 allegations surrounding her. This is the first time a presidential spouse has openly appeared before investigative agencies. Kim will also become the first first lady to stand in front of the photo line.
Kim will attend the special investigation team office in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, at 10 a.m. on that day as a suspect of violations of the Capital Market Act, disseminating false facts under the Public Official Election Act, and violations of the Act on the Integrity of Public Officials. This follows 35 days after the special investigation team commenced its inquiry on July 2.
The special investigation team noted in a notice to reporters the day before that they plan to install a police line (photo line) outside the building (special investigation team office). Kim will get out of the vehicle she arrived in front of this police line and walk into the special investigation team office. At this time, she may reveal her stance in front of reporters.
Kim is expected to be questioned regarding 16 allegations specified in the Special Prosecution Act and the so-called Housekeeper Gate that the special investigation team has newly discovered. Major allegations include: ▲ allegations of involvement in nominations of former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Young-sun and former prosecutor Kim Sang-min in the 2022 by-election and the 2024 general election ▲ allegations of collusion in stock price manipulation involving Deutsch Motors and SAMBU Construction ▲ allegations of soliciting issues related to the Unification Church through Geonjin Beopsa ▲ allegations of failing to report assets, such as a necklace worth around 60 million won.
Previously, Kim was investigated by prosecutors in July of last year, becoming the first current presidential spouse to undergo an inquiry. This was related to allegations of involvement in stock price manipulation at Deutsch Motors and suspicions regarding the receipt of luxury bags. However, the prosecutors conducted the inquiry at a third-party location. Since then, Kim has continuously refused summons requests from both the prosecutors and the special investigation team.
Kim's side has decided not to exercise the right to refuse to testify during this investigation and to answer the special investigation team's questions in detail. Attorneys Yoo Jeong-hwa, Chae Myung-seong, and Choi Ji-woo, who have submitted a letter of appointment, are expected to be present during the special investigation.
Meanwhile, there have previously been instances where spouses of past presidents were investigated privately as witnesses by investigative agencies. The late former President Chun Doo-hwan's wife, Lee Soon-ja, appeared before the Central Investigation Division of the Supreme Public Prosecutors' Office in 2004 regarding her husband's presidential election slush fund case. Former President Roh Moo-hyun's wife, Kwon Yang-suk, was investigated by the Busan District Prosecutors' Office in 2009 regarding the so-called Park Yeon-cha Gate. Former President Lee Myung-bak's wife, Kim Yun-ok, underwent a written inquiry by the special investigation team in 2012 regarding the 'Naegok-dong residence site allegation case.'