Special Prosecutor: "Re-examining Previous Investigation Records... Committed to Leaving No Unanswered Questions"
Kim's Housekeeper Staying Abroad... Search Warrant Rejected, Considering Reapplication
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, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun
The special prosecutor team led by Min Joongki, which is investigating allegations surrounding Kim Gunhee, has announced its intention to thoroughly investigate the bribery allegations related to Covana Contents, the company operated by Kim.
On July 10, special prosecutor Oh Junghui stated, "From the preparation period, the special prosecutor's office has re-examined previous investigation records regarding the case alleging that companies provided sponsorships to Covana Contents exhibitions that may constitute bribes," and added, "We intend to conduct a thorough investigation so that no further questions remain after the special prosecutor's investigation."
The special prosecutor team confirmed that Kim, who is known as Kim Gunhee's housekeeper, left for Vietnam in April of this year and has not returned, and that both the office and family residences have been relocated. The team applied for a search and seizure warrant against Kim, but the court rejected the request on the grounds that Kim is not a subject of investigation under the Special Prosecutor Act.
Regarding this, special prosecutor Oh said, "The special prosecutor team has a short investigation period but many subjects to investigate, so we are seriously considering whether reapplying for the warrant would help or hinder the investigation," and added, "We are also considering whether there might be other, more efficient and accurate methods."
The allegations related to Covana Contents involve claims that the company received improper sponsorships from major corporations such as Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, LG Electronics, POSCO, and GS Caltex while hosting exhibitions including the 'Mark Rothko Exhibition' in 2015, the 'Le Corbusier: Father of Modern Architecture Exhibition' in 2016, the 'Alberto Giacometti Exhibition' in 2018, and the 'Fauvism Masterpieces Exhibition' in 2019.
Kim is also suspected of having received an improper investment of 18 billion won in 2023 for IMS, a rental car company he established, from companies including Kakao Mobility and HS Hyosung Group affiliates, based on his relationship with Kim Gunhee, despite IMS being a financially unsound company.
Additionally, the special prosecutor team has decided to summon and question the management of Wellbiotech, who participated in the Ukraine Reconstruction Forum, in connection with the alleged stock manipulation of Sambu Construction. The team announced that at 10 a.m. on July 13, they will summon Mr. Lee, vice chairman of Sambu Construction and chairman of Wellbiotech, as a witness. Wellbiotech participated in the Ukraine Reconstruction Forum held in Poland and was classified as a company related to Ukraine reconstruction around the same time as Sambu Construction, resulting in a sharp rise in its stock price.
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