Kim Keon-hee's close aide, Ms. Kim Ye-sung, returned from abroad and appeared before the special prosecutor's office on the 12th.
Ms. Kim arrived at Incheon International Airport at 4:58 p.m. on the same day on a flight that departed from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and was arrested by the special prosecutors immediately after her arrival. The special prosecutors departed with Ms. Kim at around 6:15 p.m. from Incheon International Airport to their office.
Afterward, Ms. Kim arrived at the special prosecutors' office located in KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno District, Seoul, at around 7:18 p.m. She was led by special prosecutor investigators with her arms restrained and had a black cloth covering her handcuffed hands.
While attending the special prosecutor's office, she told reporters, "I sincerely apologize to the people for the commotion caused by me," and added, "In the future, I will repay this feeling of regret as I continue to live on."
She continued, "I am innocent and honorable and have not been involved in any wrongdoing or illegality," and stated, "I will clarify all of this forthrightly when I appear before the special prosecutors."
She added, "At IMS Mobility, 150 young people are working hard with dreams," and expressed, "I hope this witch hunt does not crush the dreams of those young people who are working hard with aspirations."
The special prosecutors refer to the allegations against Ms. Kim as 'butler gate.' The so-called butler gate mentioned by the special prosecutors refers to allegations that large corporations made solicited investments in the company of Ms. Kim, who is called the butler for Mrs. Kim's family. IMS Mobility, which Ms. Kim was involved in, had been operating at a loss since its establishment in 2013. In June 2023, nine companies, including Kakao Mobility, HS HYOSUNG affiliates, Shinhan Bank, Kiwoom Securities, and Korea Securities Finance, invested 18.4 billion won through a fund into this company.
At the time of investment, the corporations faced legal risks as they were under investigation by the prosecution. Related to this, allegations have been raised that Ms. Kim's connection with Mrs. Kim was expected to resolve the risks, prompting their investment.