Kim Gunhee Hospitalized at Asan Medical Center for Depression
Seo Jungwook: "It Is Not to Avoid the Special Prosecutor’s Investigation"
"Kim’s Side Actually Welcomed the Special Prosecutor"
As the special prosecutor’s investigation approaches, it has been reported that Kim Gunhee, wife of former President Yoon Sukyeol, is suffering from depression. Seo Jungwook, an attorney known to be close to the former presidential couple, stated, “She has been taking medication for depression on a regular basis.” In an interview with YTN Radio’s ‘News FM Lee Ikseon Choi Sooyoung Issue & People’ on the 17th, Seo said, “The claim that she is deliberately hospitalized to avoid the special prosecutor’s investigation is completely groundless,” and added, “She has always had health problems.”
Former President Yoon Sukyeol and First Lady Kim Gunhee are talking inside a car as they leave the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on April 11. Photo by Yoon Dongju
Seo explained, “She is not being summoned right now; even if they want to summon her, it will take several months. It takes 20 days just to prepare, and after investigating other people first, she would only be summoned midway through the process.” He continued, “She will likely stay in the hospital for about a week and then be discharged, so the claim that this is to avoid the special prosecutor is an absurd fake news.” Seo also said, “I heard from someone close to her that they actually said, ‘It’s good that the special prosecutor is proceeding this time.’” He elaborated, “There are so many absurd fake allegations, including the Yangpyeong Expressway issue, so they said, ‘Let’s take this opportunity to clear everything up,’ and ‘It actually gives us a chance to explain, so it’s a good thing.’”
When the host asked, “Then why did they keep exercising the veto?” Seo replied, “That was the President’s decision.” He continued, “Out of the 13 or 14 allegations, maybe only the Unification Church issue could be considered a case; the rest are seen as completely baseless.” However, he added, “But when I asked about this, it was a delivery mistake. The item was simply returned to Geonjin, and she said she had never seen or worn the shoes. The size didn’t even fit.” He further explained, “Geonjin Beopsa could have gifted them elsewhere or taken them back.”
Seo stated, “She currently has only one attorney, but will likely add three or four more soon. She will respond confidently to the investigation and is not concerned at all about the so-called Myeong Taegyun Gate. In that case, it was a private matter, so legally, a crime cannot be established.” He predicted, “This will be an opportunity to clear up all the absurd and baseless allegations. There have been all sorts of fake news, like the cat tower costing thousands, and this will be a chance to address each one.”
Min Jungki, the special prosecutor who will investigate allegations against Kim Gunhee, wife of former President Yoon Sukyeol, is answering questions from reporters in front of his office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 17th. Photo by Yonhap News
According to a KBS report on the same day, Kim Gunhee was hospitalized at Seoul Asan Medical Center on the 16th after her condition did not improve following outpatient treatment for depression last week. She also received treatment from the pulmonology department for symptoms of hyperventilation. It was found that she received a summons from the prosecution, which is investigating allegations of interference in candidate nominations, on the day she was hospitalized. However, her side explained to KBS, “The decision to be hospitalized was made before the summons was issued,” and added, “The hospital had recommended hospitalization several times, and it has nothing to do with the prosecution’s investigation.”
Min Jungki, the special prosecutor in charge of investigating the allegations against Kim Gunhee, stated that day, “I believe an in-person investigation will take place,” and added, “We have not decided how to proceed, but once the assistant special prosecutors are appointed, we will gradually discuss it.” On the 18th, Min announced, “We have received notification from the presidential office regarding the appointment of four assistant special prosecutors.” The four appointed are: attorney Moon Hongjoo (Judicial Research and Training Institute class 31), a former chief judge; and attorneys Kim Hyeonggeun (class 29), Park Sangjin (class 29), and Oh Junghui (class 30), all former prosecutors. The assistant special prosecutors, who hold the rank equivalent to chief prosecutor, are responsible for assisting and supervising the investigation, maintaining indictments, overseeing special investigators and dispatched officials, and handling media relations under the direction of the special prosecutor.
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