The prosecution investigating allegations of luxury handbag acceptance by Kim Geon-hee, wife of President Yoon Seok-yeol, has confirmed that they summoned and questioned the spouse of former U.S. Congressman Kim Chang-jun. The individual is known to be connected to Pastor Choi Jae-young, who made a request to Mrs. Kim.
According to the legal community on the 2nd, the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Seung-ho) summoned Jennifer Ahn, wife of former Congressman Kim, as a witness for questioning at the end of last month. The prosecution reportedly asked Ahn about the circumstances under which the request related to former Congressman Kim was conveyed to Mrs. Kim through Pastor Choi.
Earlier, according to Seoul Voice, Pastor Choi claimed that he requested Mrs. Kim to appoint former Congressman Kim as a national advisory committee member, to arrange for his burial at the National Cemetery, and for President Yoon and his wife to attend the visit of the American Forward Federal Legislators Association led by former Congressman Kim.
Former Congressman Kim is a figure who has long maintained a close relationship with Pastor Choi while active in the United States, raising the possibility that Pastor Choi was asked by Congressman Kim to convey such matters to Mrs. Kim.
Pastor Choi’s side claims that these requests were made between June 2022, when he gifted Mrs. Kim luxury cosmetics and perfumes, and September 2022, when he delivered a Dior bag. They also stated that Mrs. Kim partially accepted Pastor Choi’s requests by connecting Administrative Officer Jo Mo from the Presidential Office and staff from the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to discuss the National Cemetery burial issue.
However, the burial at the National Cemetery for former Congressman Kim did not take place as he did not meet the eligibility criteria, and the meeting with the former American Federal Legislators Association was not realized.
In relation to this, the prosecution investigation team summoned Administrative Officer Jo for questioning on the 18th of last month. Based on the results of surrounding witness investigations, they are expected to review whether, when, and how to question Mrs. Kim in the future.
Regarding this, Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok told reporters in the afternoon that when asked about plans to summon Mrs. Kim, "It is difficult to comment because the (Prosecutor General’s) investigative authority has been excluded, and the investigation team will decide," but added, "As I have repeatedly said, there are no exceptions, privileges, or sanctuaries before the law." He further stated, "I emphasize to prosecutors the importance of fact verification and legal judgment, so I believe the investigation will be conducted in accordance with principles."
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