The special counsel team investigating multiple allegations related to Kim Keon-hee (Special Counsel Min Joong-ki) summoned Kim Keon-hee on the 11th. This is the ninth time. With the special counsel's mandate set to end on the 28th, this is expected to be the final in-person questioning.
Kim arrived at 9:45 a.m. on the 11th at the KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno District, Seoul, where the special counsel's office is located. The special counsel plans to question Kim that day over allegations involving a tea meeting at Jongmyo, a Navy onboard party, and preferential treatment tied to the official residence transfer.
One of the matters to be questioned that day is the allegation over the Jongmyo tea meeting, which holds that on Sept. 3 last year Kim held a tea meeting with outsiders at Mangmyoru in Jongmyo, using national heritage for private purposes.
The Navy onboard drinking party allegation holds that Yoon Suk-yeol, the former president, and Kim in Aug. 2023 used military assets for private purposes by enjoying a party aboard the VIP boat, a Navy command launch.
The allegation of preferential treatment in the official residence transfer holds that 21gram, an interior firm without a general construction license, received favors by being awarded, through a private contract after Yoon took office, work for the Presidential Office and the official residence transfer and expansion.
The special counsel will also reportedly investigate allegations that the spouse of People Power Party lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun gave Kim a Roger Vivier handbag and other valuables.
This is the ninth time the special counsel has summoned Kim for questioning. It is the third summons since Aug. 29, when Kim was indicted and detained. In the two sessions conducted after her detention, Kim exercised the right to remain silent, leaving it uncertain whether any meaningful statements will emerge.
On Aug. 29, Kim was indicted and detained on charges related to allegations of Deutsch Motors stock manipulation (violation of the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act), Myung Tae-gyun nomination interference (violation of the Political Funds Act), and requests by Geonjin and the Unification Church (bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes), and she is awaiting a first-instance verdict on Jan. 28. At the closing arguments on the 3rd, the special counsel sought a total of 15 years in prison, a fine of 2 billion won, and a forfeiture of about 948 million won for Kim.
In her final statement, Kim said, "I also have many grievances, but compared to my role and whatever qualifications I have, it seems I have done so many things wrong." However, she denied the charges surrounding her.