The second comprehensive special counsel on the 18th indicted first lady Kim Keon-hee and People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Han-hong on charges including unlawfully intervening in the process of the presidential residence transfer.
According to the comprehensive special counsel, Kim and Yoon are accused of abusing their authority in 2022 to have the unlicensed interior firm "21 Gram" win the presidential residence construction through a private contract during the residence transfer process. At the time, Yoon was the Head of Team of the Presidential Transition Committee's Blue House transfer task force (TF).
The comprehensive special counsel has been conducting additional investigations based on the residence transfer-related cases handed over from the Kim Keon-hee special counsel.
As a result, it was confirmed that the residence transfer site, which had initially been selected as the Army chief of staff's official residence, was changed in the process of Kim, Yoon, former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, and others making several visits to the Minister of Foreign Affairs' official residence. The residence construction contractor also reportedly changed to 21 Gram at Kim's request and under Yoon's instructions.
Kim also faces a charge of third-party bribery for allegedly receiving high-end items worth 6.88 million won, including Dior clothing, a belt, and a bracelet, in return for awarding the construction contract. The comprehensive special counsel also confirmed that, immediately after a meeting at which a 21 Gram official demanded an increase in construction costs, the purchased Dior clothing and other items were delivered via a person surnamed Jo to Acro Vista, where Kim was residing.
The comprehensive special counsel said the same day that former presidential office management secretary Kim O-jin and others were also indicted on charges of violating the Act on Testimony and Appraisal before the National Assembly. Kim is accused of perjury for testifying during the 2024 National Assembly Land Infrastructure and Transport Committee's audit that "I do not remember who recommended 21 Gram."
During the investigation, the comprehensive special counsel also confirmed a suspicion that the Presidential Security Service was mobilized to pay 21 Gram the construction fees through illegal split contracts. However, determining that it is not included within the scope of investigation under the special counsel act, the team decided to refer the allegation to the National Office of Investigation (NOI).
An official from the special counsel team said, "We will do our utmost to ensure the maintenance of the indictment going forward so that sentences commensurate with the defendants' crimes can be handed down."