The special investigation team regarding Kim Keon-hee stated on the 22nd that they conducted a search and seizure at the residence and warehouse of Kim Chong-sik, who is known to be a business partner of Mrs. Kim's mother, Choi Eun-soon.
O Jeong-hee, a special investigation director, noted during a press briefing that "regarding the Yangpyeong Gongheung district development case, we carried out a search and seizure at Kim Chong-sik's residence and the Yangpyeong warehouse" and "we are currently analyzing the seized items."
This allegation involves claims that Mrs. Kim's family company, ESI&D, received preferential treatment while carrying out an apartment development project in the Yangpyeong Gongheung district. Kim is known to have had a close relationship with the Kim family for over 20 years while being in business with Choi. He also served as a director at Bangju Industrial, the predecessor of ESI&D.
It is reported that Kim's personal warehouse included in the search and seizure is located on land owned by Mrs. Kim's family near Gang Sang-myeon in Yangpyeong County.
Previously, Mrs. Kim's family company, ESI&D, conducted an urban development project over an area of 22,411 square meters in Gongheung-ri, Yangpyeong County, from 2011 to 2016, building an apartment complex with 350 units.
However, allegations of preferential treatment arose when it was revealed that no development fees were imposed during the business process, and the project deadline was retroactively extended.
According to the audit report from 2017, the equity of ESI&D was held by Mrs. Kim's brother, Kim Jin-woo, and her second son, Kim Jin-han, with 29.8% each, while Mrs. Kim's mother, Choi, held 21.0%, and her sister, Kim Ji-young, owned 19.4%.
Meanwhile, the special investigation team had previously conducted a search and seizure on the residences and offices of Choi, Kim Jin-woo, and People Power Party lawmaker Kim Sun-kyo related to this allegation on the 25th of last month.