The special prosecutor Kim Keon-hee announced on the 29th that they had arrested and indicted Ms. Kim Ye-seong, who is known to be an associate of the first lady, on suspicion of embezzling about 4.8 billion won.
On this day, special prosecutor Park Sang-jin said at a press briefing, "We have arrested and indicted the suspect, Ms. Kim Ye-seong, in connection with the so-called Housekeeper Gate case on charges of embezzlement and business embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes."
Initially, the amount of embezzlement stated in Ms. Kim's arrest warrant was reported to be 3.3 billion won. However, special prosecutor Park confirmed that the embezzlement amount in the indictment was stated as 4.8 billion won.
Special prosecutor Park also noted that on this day, they filed arrest warrants for Jo Young-tak, CEO of IMS Mobility, Mo Jae-yong, Director of the Management Support Office, and Min Kyung-min, CEO of OA.
The special prosecutor stated in a notice that they had filed arrest warrants against Jo for about 3.2 billion won in violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (breach of trust), about 3.5 billion won in violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (embezzlement), violation of the External Audit Act, and coercion of evidence concealment, as well as for Min for about 3.2 billion won in violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes (breach of trust), and for Director Mo on charges of evidence concealment.
The so-called Housekeeper Gate referred to by the special prosecutor is the suspicion that large corporations made solicitous investments in a company run by Ms. Kim, who is called the housekeeper of the first lady's family. IMS Mobility, which Ms. Kim was involved in, had consistently reported losses 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 due to ongoing investigations by the prosecution. In this regard, suspicions have been raised that Ms. Kim was expected to resolve these risks by leveraging her friendship with the first lady.
Meanwhile, Ms. Kim's detention period expires on the 1st of next month. She left the country in April and stayed in Vietnam, but her passport was invalidated due to the issuance of an arrest warrant by the special prosecutor. Ms. Kim returned to Korea on the 12th and was arrested at Incheon International Airport. The special prosecutor has been conducting investigations after detaining Ms. Kim on the 15th.