On the 29th, the special counsel investigating Kim Keon-hee is conducting a search and seizure of Ms. A, the wife of Jang Dae-hwan, chair of the Maekyung Media Group, and the chair of the Jeong Jin-ki Media Culture Foundation. The special counsel said Ms. A is a reference, not a suspect. It is said the special counsel is investigating an allegation that Ms. A asked former National Education Commission Chairperson Lee Bae-yong to help resolve affiliate broadcaster MBN's looming business suspension.
That day, the special counsel was searching and seizing Ms. A's office at Maekyung Media Group headquarters and her residence.
Earlier, in Oct. 2020, the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) imposed a six-month business suspension on MBN and deferred it for six months. It determined that MBN violated the Broadcasting Act by illegally raising its capital. MBN then filed a suit to cancel the suspension, losing in the first trial but winning on appeal. On Feb. of this year, the Supreme Court finalized MBN's victory.
The special counsel suspects that Ms. A asked former Chairperson Lee Bae-yong, with whom she had a personal acquaintance, to help lift MBN's business suspension.
It is said that in Mar. 2022, after former President Yoon Suk-yeol was elected, former Chairperson Lee presented first lady Kim Keon-hee with a 5-don gold turtle to congratulate her on the win. Six months later, Lee took office as the presidential National Education Commission Chairperson.