The special investigation team is set to summon Kim Ye-sung, known as a close aide and housekeeper of Kim Keon-hee, and Min Kyung-min, the CEO of the private equity firm OA Equity Partners, on the 22nd regarding the 'Housekeeper Gate allegations.'
The special investigation team noted in a notice on the morning of the 21st, "Regarding the so-called Housekeeper Gate incident, we plan to summon CEO Min Kyung-min of OA Equity Partners at 10 a.m. tomorrow (the 22nd) and Kim Ye-sung at 2 p.m. for investigation."
The special investigation team refers to the allegations related to Kim as Housekeeper Gate. The Housekeeper Gate mentioned by the special investigation team refers to the suspicion that large corporations made preferential investments in Kim's company, which is known to be the housekeeper of Kim Keon-hee's family. The investments were made through OA Equity Partners.
IMS Mobility, which Kim was involved in operating, has been in the red since its establishment in 2013. In June 2023, nine corporations, including Kakao Mobility, 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, corporations faced legal risks, including ongoing investigations by prosecutors. Allegations have emerged that Kim was expected to leverage her connections with Kim Keon-hee to resolve these risks in exchange for their investments.
This is the second summons for Kim since her arrest on the 18th. CEO Min was previously summoned by the special investigation team on the 2nd.
Meanwhile, the special investigation team is investigating Lee Jong-ho, a former CEO of Black Pearl Investment and an aide of Kim Keon-hee, as a witness regarding the 'Deutsch Motors stock price manipulation' case starting from 10 a.m. on the same day.
Former CEO Lee is accused of having received about 80 million won from Lee Jeong-pil, the primary instigator of the first Deutsch Motors stock price manipulation, 25 times from June 2022 to February 2023, and for saying that he would help ensure Lee received a suspended sentence instead of imprisonment in his criminal trial. Previously, former CEO Lee was arrested on the 5th.