The detention period of Ms. Kim Ye-sung, who is known to be a close aide and butler of Kim Keon-hee's family, has been extended until the 1st of next month.
On the 20th, the special prosecutor's office noted in an announcement that "the detention period for Ms. Kim Ye-sung has been extended to September 1st by the court today."
Earlier, Im Jeong-bin, a duty judge at the Seoul Central District Court, issued a warrant for Kim, who is facing embezzlement charges under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, based on the results of a pre-trial interrogation on the 15th, acknowledging concerns of evidence destruction and flight risk.
The special prosecutor's office refers to the allegations related to Kim as the butler gate. The butler gate mentioned by the special prosecutor refers to allegations that large corporations made solicitation investments in the company owned by Kim, who is called the butler of Kim Keon-hee's family. IMS Mobility, which Kim was involved in operating, has been in constant deficit since its establishment in 2013. In June 2023, nine companies, including Kakao, HS HYOSUNG affiliates, Shinhan Bank, Kiwoom Securities, and Korea Securities Finance, 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 the prosecution. It has been alleged that Kim was expected to resolve these risks by leveraging his connection with Kim Keon-hee, which led to the investment.
Meanwhile, the special prosecutor's office plans to conduct a fourth summons investigation of Kim Keon-hee on the 21st. This will also be the third investigation since she was detained on the 12th. Kim's side has stated they will respond to the summons on the 21st.
The day before, the court extended Kim Keon-hee's detention period, which was set to expire on the 21st, until the 31st.