Prosecution Closes in on Kim Keonhee, Summons Expected After Presidential Election

Simultaneous Investigations into Nomination Interference, Chanel Bag, and Stock Price Manipulation
One Absence Notification Citing "Concerns Over Early Presidential Election Impact"
In-Person Questioning Expected to Be Scheduled After the June 3 Presidential Election

As the prosecution simultaneously investigates various allegations concerning Kim Keonhee, the wife of former President Yoon Sukyeol, it is expected that Kim will be summoned for questioning shortly after the presidential election. Previously, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office issued a summons to Kim in mid-May, but her side declined to comply, citing concerns that it could affect the early presidential election.

According to legal sources on May 30, there are three main lines of investigation into Kim currently being conducted by the prosecution. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office’s investigation team, led by Myung Taegyun, is looking into allegations of Kim’s involvement in candidate nominations. Kim is suspected of having received poll results from political broker Myung Taegyun during the 20th presidential election and intervening in the nomination of former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Youngsun for the Changwon Uichang district in South Gyeongsang Province. Prosecutors suspect that Kim exerted influence to have former prosecutor Kim Sangmin run for the Changwon Uichang constituency in the general election. Having completed the questioning of Myung, former lawmaker Kim, and former prosecutor Kim, the investigation team is reportedly coordinating the schedule for an in-person interview with Kim Keonhee.

The Criminal Division of the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office is conducting a reinvestigation into allegations of stock price manipulation involving Deutsche Motors. Kim is suspected of having participated as a financial backer and profited during the stock price inflation orchestrated by former Deutsche Motors chairman Kwon Ohsu and others between 2009 and 2012. The Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office has summoned Kim, who played a key role in planning the stock manipulation, and Min, who placed sell orders from Kim’s account, as reference witnesses for questioning. Kim has received a final sentence of two years in prison, suspended for three years, from the Supreme Court. Min was sentenced to one year and six months in prison, suspended for three years, in the first trial and is currently undergoing an appeal. The Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office is expected to summon Kim Keonhee for questioning after completing its investigation of Lee Jongho, former CEO of Black Pearl Invest and a key figure in the case, as well as former chairman Kwon Ohsu.

The Joint Virtual Asset Crime Investigation Unit at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office is looking into allegations of influence peddling related to the Unification Church. It is alleged that a former high-ranking official of the Unification Church sent expensive gifts, such as Chanel bags, to Kim Keonhee through Jeon Sungbae, known as “Geonjin Bopsa.” Prosecutors have summoned Kim’s aide, identified as Yoo, who is known to have received and exchanged a Chanel bag from Jeon, and are expanding their investigation to include other aides as well.