Former President Yoon Suk-yeol appeared before Special Counsel Min Joong-ki's special counsel team, which has been investigating allegations involving first lady Kim Keon-hee.
According to legal sources, at about 9:10 a.m. on the 20th, a Justice Ministry transport vehicle carrying the former president entered KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where Min Joong-ki's special counsel team has its office.
This is the first face-to-face questioning by Min Joong-ki's special counsel team of the former president. The special counsel team also tried to summon him in July, but the former president refused. They even attempted to bring him in by force, but it ultimately fell through.
The appearance notice sent to the former president that day was said to list six criminal allegations. The former president was identified as an accomplice in allegations that Kim received 270 million won worth of poll results from Myung Tae-gyun (violation of the Political Funds Act) and that he received a work by painter Lee Ufan worth 140 million won from former Director General Prosecutor Kim Sang-min (bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes).
The probe also covers whether the former president was involved in the "selling of offices" allegations that Kim received personnel or business favor requests and expensive jewelry and other valuables from Seohee Construction Chairman Lee Bong-gwan, former National Education Commission Chair Lee Bae-yong, former Director General Prosecutor Kim, and others.
Yoo Jeong-hwa, the former president's attorney, answered "Had no knowledge whatsoever" when asked by reporters whether Yoon was aware that first lady Kim Keon-hee received jewelry.
Asked whether the former president consulted with Kim during the appointment process of former National Education Commission Chair Lee Bae-yong, the attorney dismissed the suggestion, saying, "There was no consultation. We did not hear any requests for favors at all."
With the investigation period for Min Joong-ki's special counsel team set to expire on the 28th, the face-to-face questioning that day is likely to be the first and last. The special counsel team is expected to wrap up the former president's questioning and, within the remaining period, bring additional allegations to trial.