Special Prosecutor: "Kim to Be Arrested at Boarding Bridge and Escorted to Office"
Future Investigation May Accelerate Depending on Kim's Testimony
Kim Yesung, known as the "butler" of First Lady Kim Keonhee, will enter the country through Incheon International Airport on August 12. This marks his return nearly four months after he abruptly left for Vietnam in April, following the impeachment of former President Yoon Sukyeol. The special prosecutor team led by Min Jungki, which is investigating allegations related to the First Lady, plans to arrest Kim at the airport and immediately take him to the investigation office.
Special Prosecutor Kim Gunhee's team reviewing Fair Trade Commission's search and seizure materials related to the 'Jipsa Gate'. Photo by Yonhap News
In a press release on the same day, the special prosecutor's team stated, "After the aircraft lands, Kim will be arrested at the boarding bridge and then escorted to the special prosecutor's office using the same gate as regular passengers."
It is reported that Kim boarded a Vietnam Airlines flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Incheon at 9:15 a.m. local time. The flight is scheduled to land at Incheon International Airport at approximately 4:40 p.m. Korean time.
The special prosecutor's team has dispatched investigators to Incheon Airport to secure Kim's custody on site. He will then be transferred to the team's office at the KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the investigation will begin.
Kim is believed to have managed the finances of the First Lady's family, and the direction of the investigation could shift significantly depending on the statements he provides to the special prosecutor's team.
Kim is the central figure in the "Jipsa Gate" scandal, which is the main focus of the special prosecutor's investigation. The case involves allegations that IMS Mobility (formerly Be My Car), a rental car company established with Kim's involvement and known to be in a state of capital erosion, received an investment of 18.4 billion won in June 2023 from investors such as HS Hyosung through the fund operator Oasis Equity Partners. It is suspected that these companies invested in Kim, a close associate of the First Lady, in hopes of resolving their business issues through lobbying.
After departing for Vietnam in April, Kim repeatedly ignored the special prosecutor team's requests to appear for questioning. The team determined that his departure was an attempt to evade investigation, leading them to initiate procedures to invalidate his passport and request an Interpol red notice. Kim's spouse was also banned from leaving the country.
The special prosecutor's team believes there is a high risk that Kim may attempt to flee again and may request an arrest warrant immediately after conducting a face-to-face investigation.
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