Special Prosecutor: "Kim Gunhee's Housekeeper Should Come Forward Anytime If Willing to Be Questioned"

Full-Scale Summons and Questioning of Those Involved in Nomination Interference to Begin Next Week

The special prosecutor team led by Min Joongki, which is investigating allegations related to Kim Gunhee, has on July 11 demanded that Kim Yesung, known as the housekeeper for Kim Gunhee's family, directly express his intention to appear before the special prosecutor.

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

Moon Hongju, assistant special prosecutor, stated at a regular briefing that afternoon, "There have been media reports that the main suspect in the 'Housekeeper Gate' case, Mr. Kim, has voluntarily returned to Korea and intends to be questioned by the special prosecutor. However, the special prosecutor has never received any direct or indirect communication from Mr. Kim regarding his intention to appear."

Moon added, "If Mr. Kim's remarks are genuine, he should communicate his intentions to the special prosecutor, not to the media. If he contacts the special prosecutor, we will proceed with the investigation at any time according to the law and procedures, and we will do our utmost to uncover the truth."

The 'Housekeeper Gate' case involves Kim allegedly receiving investments totaling 18 billion won from various companies. The special prosecutor suspects that the circumstances surrounding these large investments are questionable. Kim reportedly became acquainted with Kim Gunhee in 2010 during a Seoul National University Graduate School of Business program and later served as an auditor at Covana Contents.

The special prosecutor team also plans to summon and question individuals soon in connection with allegations that former President Yoon Sukyeol and his wife were involved in candidate nominations, following a recent search and seizure operation. Moon stated, "We are currently analyzing the materials seized during this week's search and seizure. Starting next week, we will begin summoning and questioning the relevant parties in earnest."

On July 8, the special prosecutor team conducted search and seizure operations at the National Assembly office and residence of People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Sanghyun, the Changwon residence of former lawmaker Kim Youngsun, and the residence of former prosecutor Kim Sangmin, as part of a forced investigation into the candidate nomination interference allegations.

The 2022 by-election nomination interference allegation centers on claims that former President Yoon and his wife, during that year's presidential election, received free polling services from so-called "political broker" Myung Taekyun, and in return, helped ensure that former lawmaker Kim Youngsun was nominated in the by-election held that same year. Myung is believed to have conducted illegal polling on 81 occasions.