Kim Gunhee Special Prosecution to Investigate Broad Range of Allegations...
Min Joongki: "We Will Be Careful Not to Be Biased"
Chae Sangbyung Special Prosecution to Investigate Eight Key Issues...
Lee Myunghyun: "We Will Thoroughly Uncover the Substantive Truth"
Min Joongki, the special prosecutor in charge of the case related to allegations against Kim Gunhee, wife of former President Yoon Sukyeol, along with other special prosecutors, held a plaque unveiling ceremony at the special prosecutor's office set up in the KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, Seoul on July 2. From left: Moon Hongju and Park Sangjin, special prosecutors; Min Joongki, special prosecutor; Kim Hyunggeun and Oh Junghui, special prosecutors; Hong Jihang, support team leader. 2025.7.2 Photo by Jo Yongjun
The "Kim Gunhee Special Prosecution," tasked with investigating various allegations involving Kim Gunhee, held a plaque unveiling ceremony on July 2 and officially launched its investigation. Given the numerous allegations surrounding Kim Gunhee, the investigation is expected to proceed swiftly.
At the ceremony, Special Prosecutor Min Joongki emphasized that the investigation would be conducted fairly. Min stated, "The special prosecution team will unite and pool our wisdom to provide proper answers to the many questions at hand. We will do our utmost to ensure that every aspect of the investigation is neither excessive nor biased."
He also said, "All investigations will be conducted in accordance with the procedures and methods prescribed by law, and we will be careful not to let the investigation become excessive or biased." As of July 2, the Kim Gunhee Special Prosecution team has not yet begun a full-scale investigation, instead focusing on legal reviews and examining materials transferred from the prosecution, taking a cautious and measured approach.
The scope of the Kim Gunhee Special Prosecution's investigation is vast, covering nearly all allegations raised against Kim Gunhee. Broadly, these can be categorized as: ▲ stock price manipulation involving Deutsche Motors and others; ▲ bribery, including the luxury bag investigation; and ▲ personnel intervention by figures such as Myung Taegyun and Geonjin Beopsa. However, in detail, there are more than ten separate allegations under scrutiny. In addition, if new criminal suspicions are uncovered during the investigation, the scope may be further expanded in the future.
The Kim Gunhee Special Prosecution team consists of 40 prosecutors, 14 police officers, and experts dispatched from the Financial Supervisory Service and the National Tax Service. In effect, a comprehensive investigation into Kim Gunhee is expected to take place.
The special prosecution team led by Lee Myunghyun, which is investigating allegations of external pressure in the Chae Sangbyung case, also held a plaque unveiling ceremony and was officially launched on July 2. Special Prosecutor Lee stated, "We will do our utmost to thoroughly uncover the substantive truth."
Special Prosecutor Myunghyun Lee and Deputy Special Prosecutor Sangbyung Chae hold a plaque ceremony at the special prosecutor's office set up in Seocho-gu, Seoul on July 2, 2025. Photo by Dongju Yoon
The Chae Sangbyung Special Prosecution team plans to summon and question Lim Sungkeun, former commander of the 1st Marine Division and the main suspect in the case, at 2:00 p.m. on July 2. Lim is under investigation for charges including occupational negligence resulting in death in connection with the death of Chae Sangbyung. The Chae Sangbyung Special Prosecution team intends to focus on investigating the circumstances of the incident and the instructions Lim gave at the scene at the time.
The Chae Sangbyung Special Prosecution team is investigating a total of eight issues: △ the circumstances surrounding Chae Sangbyung's death; △ evidence of downplaying or concealing reports of external pressure during the initial investigation; △ lobbying efforts to save Lim Sungkeun; and △ illegal activities during the process of appointing former Defense Minister Lee Jongseop as ambassador to Australia, among others.
The investigation into Kim Gunhee's alleged lobbying to save Lim Sungkeun is also being handled by the Chae Sangbyung Special Prosecution team. This matter is a common subject of investigation for both the Kim Gunhee and Chae Sangbyung special prosecution teams, but it was decided that the Chae Sangbyung team would address it first. Special Prosecutor Lee stated to reporters at Chae Sangbyung's grave at the Daejeon National Cemetery the previous day, "I spoke with Special Prosecutor Min Joongki, and we agreed that our team would investigate this matter first."
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