Choo Mi-ae: "Mrs. Kim Suspected of Hosting a Drinking Party on a Navy Ship During Summer Vacation"

"Allegations Raised Over Private Use of Naval Vessel"
"Drinking Party and Fireworks... Led by Deputy Director Kim Seonghoon"
"First Lady Kim: 'I Should Come Here Often'"

Choo Mi-ae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, raised allegations that First Lady Kim Keon-hee held a drinking party on a naval vessel during her summer vacation two years ago.

Choo Mi-ae, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

On the 14th, at the first institutional report of the 'Special Committee for the Investigation of the Truth Behind the Alleged Coup Attempt through the Declaration of Martial Law by the Yoon Seok-yeol Government' held at the National Assembly, Rep. Choo stated, "There are suspicions that First Lady Kim used a naval vessel for private purposes." She claimed, "In August 2023, during the summer vacation of President Yoon Seok-yeol and his wife, who are accused of leading a coup, First Lady Kim reportedly called a naval vessel and held a sea drinking party with acquaintances." She added, "The presidential couple stayed on Geoje Jeodo at the time, but they rented karaoke equipment and held a drinking party on the naval vessel, and even set off fireworks at the Geoga Bridge to show off to their acquaintances." Furthermore, she said, "The person who organized and led this schedule is known to be Kim Seong-hoon, the deputy director of the Presidential Security Service, who is currently stationed at the presidential residence."

Rep. Choo explained, "An admiral who attended at the time conveyed that (First Lady Kim) was so excited that she said things like 'I didn't know such good facilities existed' and 'I should come here often,'" adding, "She actually visited several times." She also pointed out, "She may have used a harbor command boat known as 'Guibinjeong' in August last year. In such cases, a harbor transport boat and a military support boat operate together, and a high-speed boat guards the perimeter. Should military security assets be used for the entertainment of the Yoon Seok-yeol couple?" In response, Kim Sun-ho, acting Minister of National Defense, said, "We cannot be involved in the president's schedule. The Security Service should respond to this."

Earlier, Yoon Geon-young, a Democratic Party lawmaker, also appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the 13th and introduced tips related to Deputy Director Kim. Rep. Yoon explained, "The reason Deputy Director Kim gained favor with President Yoon Seok-yeol and his wife was the president's father's funeral in August 2023," adding, "He earned trust by, so to speak, checking the burial site and other matters." He continued, "To win favor with the presidential office, Deputy Director Kim had security officers purchase clothes for the pets raised at the presidential residence," and said, "There are even reports that he gifted pet clothes embroidered with agency logos."

He also said, "During the president and first lady's vacation, Security Service staff were excessively mobilized. There are reports that they were ordered to install karaoke machines, buy fireworks for fireworks displays, and perform other personal tasks," adding, "The most shocking report was that staff were made to perform a kind of talent show on occasions like the president and first lady's birthdays."