[Exclusive] Police Plan to Summon Kim Eun-hye, New Chief Public Relations Officer, as a Suspect This Month

Underreporting Assets in the June 1 Local Elections
Following Law and Principles Without Political Consideration
Election Law Cases Usually Referred to Formal Trial
Judicial Risks Inevitable Upon Prosecutor's Indictment

Kim Eun-hye, the newly appointed Chief Public Relations Officer, is attending the briefing on personnel reshuffle by Chief Secretary Kim Dae-gi held at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul on the 21st, and is delivering her remarks.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] On the 21st, it was reported that the police plan to summon and investigate Kim Eun-hye, the newly appointed Chief Public Relations Officer of the Presidential Office, as a suspect this month regarding allegations of asset underreporting during the June 1 local elections. Kim is suspected of underreporting the value of her spouse's property while running as the ruling party's candidate for Gyeonggi Province governor in the recent local elections.

According to comprehensive reporting by this outlet, the Bundang Police Station in Gyeonggi Province is expected to notify Kim, who is accused of violating the Public Official Election Act (false statement publication), of a summons as early as this week. The police are said to be conducting the investigation based on law and principles without political considerations. This means the investigation will proceed regardless of Kim’s appointment as the new Chief Public Relations Officer of the Presidential Office.

The case centers on Kim’s alleged underreporting of assets when she ran as the Gyeonggi Province governor candidate in the June 1 local elections. In May, the Gyeonggi Provincial Party of the Democratic Party filed an objection with the Central Election Commission, claiming that about 1.6 billion KRW worth of her spouse’s buildings and securities were underreported, and subsequently filed a complaint with the prosecution. On May 30, the Election Commission accepted the Democratic Party’s objection, stating that "it is recognized that Kim underreported her assets."

The case, initially received by the Seongnam Branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office following the Democratic Party’s complaint and the Election Commission’s request for investigation, was later transferred to the Bundang Police Station, which has jurisdiction. After handing over the ongoing investigation into the 'Seongnam FC sponsorship fund allegations' to the higher authority, the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency, Bundang Police have been reviewing this case. Since Kim partially admitted to underreporting assets during the last local election, the police believe there will be little difficulty in proving the charges.

Violations of the Public Official Election Act affect eligibility for candidacy, so such cases are typically referred to formal trials (public trials). If Kim is indicted by the prosecution, it is highly likely that she will have to attend criminal court hearings while serving as the current Chief Public Relations Officer of the Presidential Office. Depending on the court’s ruling, this could also impact Kim’s political career. The false statement publication charge under the election law, applied to Kim, carries a penalty of up to five years imprisonment or a fine of up to 30 million KRW. If a prison sentence or a fine of 1 million KRW or more is confirmed, candidacy rights will be revoked for five years.

Additionally, Kim is suspected of making statements inconsistent with the shared ownership of her spouse’s building as reported in the asset declaration during the Gyeonggi Province governor candidate debate hosted by the Gyeonggi Election Broadcasting Debate Committee in May. In the same month, at the Kwanhun Debate held at the Korea Press Center, she is also suspected of falsely denying involvement despite recommending a specific person related to the 'KT employment request allegations.' A police official stated, "We cannot confirm any details regarding ongoing investigations."