The special prosecution team stated on the 1st that Kim Keon-hee will summon and investigate Lee Bong-kwan, the chairman of SEOHEE CONSTRUCTION, and his son-in-law Park Seong-geun, former Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, regarding the 'luxury necklace delivery suspicion' on the 2nd.
On the same day, Special Prosecutor Kim Hyung-geun noted during a regular media briefing, 'Tomorrow (the 2nd) at 10 a.m., we will summon Chairman Lee Bong-kwan, and at 2 p.m., we will summon former Chief of Staff Park for investigation.'
The special prosecution team suspects that SEOHEE CONSTRUCTION purchased a 'Van Cleef & Arpels' necklace worth around 60 million won for the purpose of solicitation and handed it to the First Lady. It is reported that the necklace, a 'Snowflake Pendant' product released by Van Cleef & Arpels in 2015, was purchased by SEOHEE CONSTRUCTION on March 9, 2022, and is the same model worn by the First Lady during her trip to NATO in June 2022.
Park, the former Chief of Staff, who is the son-in-law of Chairman Lee, was appointed as the Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister under the Yoon Suk-yeol government in 2022. The special prosecution team is investigating whether SEOHEE CONSTRUCTION handed the necklace to the First Lady in exchange for securing the Chief of Staff position.
Earlier, SEOHEE CONSTRUCTION reportedly wrote in a confession submitted to the special prosecution team that 'the First Lady was gifted a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace worth around 60 million won, which she wore during the NATO summit in June 2022, three months after it was purchased, but it was later returned.' SEOHEE CONSTRUCTION is also said to have admitted to 'making an employment solicitation for Park Seong-geun, the former Suncheon District Prosecutor's Office chief, while handing over the necklace.' Furthermore, it is reported that the original necklace was submitted to the special prosecution team along with the confession.
The special prosecution team conducted a search and seizure at the headquarters of SEOHEE CONSTRUCTION in Seocho District, Seoul, on the 11th of last month, and on the 28th of last month at the home of former Chief of Staff Park.