Prosecutors Summon Former Ambassador to India Over Kim Jung-sook's Taj Mahal Business Trip Escort

Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Investigates Former Ambassador to India Shin Bong-gil

The prosecution summoned Shin Bong-gil, the former South Korean ambassador to India who accompanied former President Moon Jae-in's wife Kim Jung-sook on her trip to India, on the 6th.

According to the legal community, the Criminal Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Jo Ah-ra) called former Ambassador Shin Bong-gil as a witness for questioning on the same day. The prosecution is reportedly verifying with former Ambassador Shin the circumstances under which Mrs. Kim visited India alone and how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was notified of Mrs. Kim's visit schedule.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Former Ambassador Shin officially accompanied Mrs. Kim during her 3-night, 4-day visit to India in November 2018.

Mrs. Kim's visit to India was arranged through a 'self-invitation' by our Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and there were allegations that several hundred million won of taxpayers' money was wasted, leading to suspicions that it was a 'Taj Mahal pleasure trip.' Former President Moon explained in his memoirs last May that it was the "first solo diplomatic trip" by a head of state's spouse and that it was an official diplomatic activity following an invitation from the Indian government, not a pleasure trip.

After reviewing the results of the investigation into former Ambassador Shin, the prosecution is expected to consider whether there is a need to investigate Mrs. Kim. Currently, the Criminal Division 2 is also investigating the suspicion that Mrs. Kim did not return a Chanel jacket.