The special prosecutor investigating Kim Keon-hee is conducting a search and seizure of the National Education Commission on the 5th. This is to investigate the allegations of a so-called 'quid pro quo' involving former National Education Commissioner Lee Bae-yong handing a gold turtle to Kim Keon-hee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, in exchange for the position of chairperson of the National Education Commission.
On that day, the special prosecutor announced in a media notice that it has commenced a search and seizure of the National Education Commission in relation to the allegations of the 'precious metal gift' by former National Education Commissioner Lee Bae-yong.
It was reported that former Commissioner Lee presented a 5-don gold turtle along with a congratulatory card to Kim Keon-hee as a congratulatory gift shortly after the presidential election in March 2022. Former Commissioner Lee was appointed as the first chairperson of the National Education Commission when the Yoon Suk-yeol administration first took office in September of that year.
Former Commissioner Lee resigned on the 1st after the controversy erupted. In his resignation statement, he said, 'I will sincerely clarify the truth of the information reported by the media during the investigation process.'
The special prosecutor began its investigation into the allegations of quid pro quo by conducting a search and seizure of former Commissioner Lee's residence in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the 28th of last month.