On the 14th, Special Counsel Kim Keon-hee requested an arrest warrant for Kim Yesung, a close aide and known 'butler' of Mrs. Kim. The pre-arrest interrogation of the suspect is scheduled to be held at 2 p.m. on the 15th.
The special counsel announced in a notice that afternoon, "Today (14th), an arrest warrant was requested for the suspect Kim Yesung in the so-called 'butler gate' case on charges of violating the Specific Economic Crime Reduction and Punishment Act (embezzlement)."
Judge Lim Jeong-bin of the Seoul Central District Court will conduct the warrant examination at 2 p.m. on the 15th in courtroom 321 of the West Court Building.
The special counsel refers to the allegations related to Kim as 'butler gate.' The butler gate mentioned by the special counsel refers to allegations that large corporations made solicitous investments in a company owned by Kim, who was called the butler of Mrs. Kim's family. IMS Mobility, which Kim was involved in operating, has been operating at a loss since its establishment in 2013. In June 2023, nine companies, including Kakao, HS HYOSUNG affiliates, Shinhan Bank, Kiwoom Securities, and Korea Securities Financing, invested 18.4 billion won through funds in this company.
At the time of the investment, the corporations faced legal risks as they were under investigation by prosecutors. Related to this, suspicions have been raised that Kim was expected to resolve the risks by leveraging his friendship with Mrs. Kim.
Meanwhile, Kim returned from Vietnam on the 12th and was arrested at Incheon Airport. The special counsel immediately transported Kim to the special counsel's office located in the West of the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul. At the time, Kim stated to reporters, "I am innocent and dignified, and I have not participated in any wrongdoing or illegality."