The special counsel investigating allegations related to Kim Keon-hee wraps up its 180-day probe on the 28th. While some say it achieved results by indicting Kim on detention and filing charges over alleged "selling of offices," several key suspicions remain unresolved and will be handed over to the Korean National Police Agency National Office of Investigation (NOI).
The special counsel was launched to target allegations surrounding Kim that were even described with the term "V0," meaning "power greater than the president (V1)." But during the probe, disputes erupted over alleged bias and coercive tactics, internal friction, and controversies surrounding the special prosecutor personally.
◇ After focusing on the "three major allegations," Kim was indicted on detention in August
On July 2, after an inaugural plaque-hanging, the special counsel set as its first track the Deutsch Motors stock-rigging case, Myung Tae-gyun's election interference, and Geonjin's alleged influence-peddling. The launch was attributed to the fact that existing investigative bodies had failed to reach clear conclusions on these issues.
Throughout July, the special counsel collected statements and materials through searches and seizures and by summoning those involved. Former Black Pearl Invest CEO Lee Jong-ho, Myung Tae-gyun, and Geonjin (Jeon Seong-bae) were among the targets.
On Aug. 6, the special counsel summoned Kim, who described herself at the photo line as "a nobody." In the first session that followed, Kim was said to have denied the charges, saying "I didn't know" and "No."
On Aug. 7, the special counsel sought an arrest warrant, and the court issued it, citing "concerns about evidence destruction." After additional questioning, the special counsel indicted Kim on detention on Aug. 29. It was the first time a former first lady had been publicly summoned, arrested, and indicted on detention.
◇ Expanded to round two with ex officio probes, including "selling of offices"
Alongside maintaining the indictment, the special counsel expanded the probe to other allegations identified during the investigation. The core was the "selling of offices" suspicion that expensive gifts changed hands in exchange for influence related to public positions.
Seohee Construction Chairman Lee Bong-gwan, former National Education Commission Chair Lee Bae-yong, former senior prosecutor Kim Sang-min, and robot-dog entrepreneur Seo Seong-bin were alleged to have provided items such as necklaces, earrings, a gold turtle, watches, and paintings. During the investigation, luxury brands including Vacheron Constantin and Van Cleef & Arpels were mentioned.
While continuing searches and summons of those suspected of providing valuables, the special counsel arrested and indicted those implicated in the "Unification Church influence-peddling" case, including Jeon Seong-bae, Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja, and People Power Party lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong. Determining that it had secured physical evidence and statements, the special counsel summoned Kim again and on the 26th indicted her on charges of brokered bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, stating that the investigation related to Kim was thereby concluded.
◇ Allegations of coercive and biased investigation, and Min Joong-ki special counsel's "illegal stock transaction" suspicion
Internal conflict surfaced during the probe. On Sept. 30, all 40 prosecutors seconded to the special counsel issued a statement asking to "wrap up the investigation swiftly and be returned to our original prosecutors' offices," in a notable example.
In Oct., a Yangpyeong County official in Gyeonggi died after being questioned as a suspect in the "Gongheung District development favoritism" case, and as word spread that notes resembling a suicide letter alleged statements had been induced through coercion and coaxing, controversy flared over the special counsel's investigative methods.
Allegations also surfaced over illegal transactions and use of nonpublic information involving special prosecutor Min Joong-ki's trades in NeoSemitech stock, prompting calls for his resignation in political circles, while Min explained there had been no illegality.
Near the end of the probe, further allegations of "biased investigation" arose that it had failed to properly scrutinize indications of ruling-party figures' involvement uncovered in the Unification Church inquiry. The claim was that the special counsel was passive even after finding signs implicating not only the People Power Party but also the Democratic Party of Korea.
Meanwhile, the Sambu Construction stock-rigging case, suspicions of favoritism in the Yangpyeong Expressway development, allegations related to Kim Ye-seong—known as Kim's "butler"—and any link to Kim, and whether former President Yoon Suk-yeol was involved in the "selling of offices" and possible bribery by the couple, all remain unresolved. The special counsel's unfinished case files will be handed over to the Korean National Police Agency National Office of Investigation (NOI) for further investigation.