"First Compulsory Investigation" Launched Just One Day After Official Probe Began
Min Joongki, the special prosecutor in charge of the case related to allegations against Kim Gunhee, wife of former President Yoon Sukyeol, is giving a greeting speech at the plaque unveiling ceremony held on July 2, 2025, at the special prosecutor's office set up in the KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun
The special prosecutor's team led by Min Joongki, investigating allegations surrounding Kim Gunhee, launched a compulsory investigation just one day after officially beginning their probe.
On July 3, the Kim Gunhee special prosecutor's team announced, "This morning, we began search and seizure operations targeting companies such as Sambu Construction and related suspects."
The special prosecutor's team appears to have set its sights first on the Sambu Construction stock price manipulation case, in which Kim Gunhee is suspected of involvement. The Sambu Construction stock manipulation allegations have received relatively less attention compared to the already well-known Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case.
Previously, the Securities and Futures Commission of the Financial Services Commission reported more than ten individuals, including former and current de facto owners and the CEO of Sambu Construction, to the prosecution for violations such as engaging in unfair trading under the Capital Markets Act. The Financial Services Commission believes that these individuals deceived investors by making it appear as if they were about to launch overseas reconstruction projects in earnest, artificially inflated the stock price, and then sold their holdings to gain illicit profits amounting to tens of billions of won.
Lee Jongho, former CEO of Black Pearl Investment and known as the account manager for Kim Gunhee, has been suspected of participating in the stock manipulation after sending a message reading "Sambu check" in a group messenger chatroom prior to the stock price surge.
The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, which took over the case, directed the Financial Supervisory Service to investigate. The special prosecutor's team later took over the case.
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