Kim Keon-hee's special investigation team announced on the 5th that they plan to summon former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as a witness related to the 'SEOHEE CONSTRUCTION scandal' on the 9th.
Special investigation team member Kim Hyung-geun said, "I sent a request today by mail for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to appear as a witness at the special investigation team at 10 a.m. on the 9th to verify the appointment details of former Chief of Staff Park Seong-geun regarding the SEOHEE CONSTRUCTION's Van Cleef & Arpels necklace and other jewelry case."
The special investigation team suspects that SEOHEE CONSTRUCTION bought a 'Van Cleef & Arpels' necklace worth around 60 million won for the purpose of bribery and handed it to Mrs. Kim. The necklace is from the 'Snowflake Pendant' product released by Van Cleef & Arpels in 2015. The special investigation team is reported to have identified that SEOHEE CONSTRUCTION purchased the same model that Mrs. Kim wore during a NATO visit with former President Yoon in June 2022 on March 9, 2022.
Park Seong-geun, former Chief of Staff and son-in-law of Chairman Lee, was appointed as chief of staff for former President Yoon's government in 2022. The special investigation team is investigating whether SEOHEE CONSTRUCTION handed the necklace to Mrs. Kim in exchange for receiving the chief of staff position.
In this regard, the special investigation team is expected to ask former Prime Minister Han about the circumstances surrounding the appointment of former Chief of Staff Park.
Earlier, the special investigation team summoned Chairman Lee and former Chief of Staff Park for questioning on the 2nd. Subsequently, they summoned Chairman Lee again for additional questioning on the 3rd.
The special investigation team also stated that they have reiterated a request for Reverend Han Hak-ja to appear at 10 a.m. on the 11th. Special investigation team member Kim noted, "Reverend Han submitted a notice for absence regarding the investigation on the 8th," and added, "The special investigation team sent a second notice of appearance request by mail for the appointment on the 11th at 10 a.m."
Reverend Han faces charges of bribery and violations of the Political Fund Act in connection with the 'Gunjin Beopsa and the Unification Church bribery scandal.'
The special investigation team is examining the allegation that Kweon Seong-dong, a member of the People Power Party, met Reverend Han before and after the 2022 presidential election, performed a deep bow, and received a shopping bag suspected to contain valuables.
There are also allegations that former Unification Church headquarters head Yoon Young-ho, who has been arrested and charged, gave Kweon 100 million won. Yoon is suspected of being involved in delivering high-value diamond necklaces and Chanel bags to Mrs. Kim through Jeon Seong-bae, known as Gunjin Beopsa, between April and July 2022, in exchange for favor regarding church issues.
Meanwhile, the special investigation team announced they are investigating Mrs. Kim for allegedly organizing a party on a naval vessel using the Security Authority. They are investigating Deputy Administrator Kim Sung-hoon for violations of the Presidential Security Act and Mrs. Kim for abuse of power. In connection with this, the special investigation team seized materials from the Presidential Security Authority in a search on the morning of the day.