Kim Keon-hee and her 'butler,' known as Kim Ye-seong, are expected to attend the special prosecutor investigation concerning Kim Keon-hee on the morning of the 18th at 10 a.m., signaling the intensification of the so-called 'butler gate' investigation.
The special prosecutor team investigating allegations related to Kim Keon-hee noted through a media release on the 17th that they have summoned the detained suspect Kim Ye-seong at 10 a.m. on the 18th. This will be the first interrogation since his detention on the 15th.
Kim is a principal suspect in the butler gate investigation. The allegation claims that IMS Mobility received 18.4 billion won in improper investments from major corporations such as Kakao Mobility, Shinhan Bank, and HS HYOSUNG in 2023. At the time of the investment, IMS Mobility had more liabilities (1.414 trillion won) than its net worth (56.6 billion won), effectively putting it in a state of capital erosion.
The special prosecutor team suspects that investment entities, facing various management issues or judicial risks at the time, may have provided a kind of insurance or quid pro quo funds considering their connections with Kim and Kim's family. They are also looking into whether the funds and revenues siphoned off by Kim may have flowed to Kim's family.
The special prosecutor team has applied charges such as embezzlement under the Specific Economic Crimes Aggravated Punishment Act and has requested a warrant for Kim's detention, which was issued by the court on the 15th. The warrant specifies that Kim embezzled a total of 3.38 billion won from the IMS Mobility investment through a corporate entity that he practically owned.
The special prosecutor team will summon Kim Keon-hee for the second time since her detention on the morning of the 18th at 10 a.m. Previously, on the 14th, she was first interrogated after her detention regarding allegations of involvement in nominations, but it is reported that she exercised her right to remain silent in most parts. Excluding breaks, the interrogation lasted only 2 hours and 9 minutes.
On that day, as Kim Keon-hee and Kim attend at the same time, there are speculations that they may face questioning to clarify discrepancies in their statements relating to the butler gate investigation. Kim has consistently denied that he is the butler of Kim's family and has stated that Kim Keon-hee had no involvement in the IMS Mobility investment funds or his investment revenues.