After the three major special counsel probes into insurrection, Kim Keon-hee, and the death in the line of duty of a Marine, special counsel deputy Kim Ji-mi (Judicial Research and Training Institute class 37) of the second comprehensive special counsel team investigating the remaining suspicions made a solo appearance on a YouTube channel run by pro-ruling-party broadcaster Kim Ou-joon. Kim said the public would be able to see key suspects summoned and standing at the photo line.
On the 9th, Kim appeared live on the YouTube program Jung Jun-hee's Non on Kim Ou-joon's Humility Is Difficult News Factory. The title was Can the comprehensive special counsel be a comprehensive gift set to end insurrection. The broadcast ran about 40 minutes. On the program, Kim explained the special counsel's main investigation targets and suspicions, and the status of the probe.
Host Jung Jun-hee, an adjunct professor at Hanyang University, asked, "You say summoning for questioning is the principle, but the summons of Yoon Suk-yeol (former president) and Kim Keon-hee (first lady) has not yet happened, and of course the final boss always comes later."
Kim replied that it was a "build-up process." Kim went on, "We conducted summons questioning of (reference witnesses) on the scale of several hundred people. But reports have not shown major suspects standing at the photo line and being questioned as the public wants," adding, "Soon you may see the scenes you want."
Kim said she is mainly investigating the Yangpyeong expressway suspicions, adding, "No one would believe that a national project like an expressway could be changed at the level of a contractor or employees of the Korea Expressway Corporation (KEC)." Kim continued, "The Kim Keon-hee special counsel had time limits and could not reveal those higher up," and said, "The second comprehensive special counsel's mission, I think, is to dig into that part."
On the suspicions that first lady Kim Keon-hee received luxury goods, Kim said, "It came out in the process of the special counsel team additionally confirming matters," adding, "We are currently investigating, so I cannot disclose details, but there is a considerable amount of newly discovered evidence and testimony."
Kim said, "The SSANGBANGWOOL remittances to North Korea case is not our investigation target. What we intend to examine is who created that case, whether it was reported to the presidential office, and what instructions were received in creating the case."
It is highly unusual for the special counsel's side to appear on media or give interviews outside of official briefings while an investigation is underway.