Butler Gate: Special Prosecutor Launches Full-Scale Summons and Investigation
Myung Taegyun Gate: Presidential Archives Raided for Evidence of Nomination Interference
Sambo Construction Stock Manipulation: Arrest Warrants to Be Requested for Key Figures
Former President Yoon Sukyeol and First Lady Kim Keonhee are talking inside a car as they leave the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on April 11./Photo by Yoon Dongju
The special prosecutor's team led by Min Jungki, which is investigating the wide-ranging allegations surrounding First Lady Kim Keonhee, is also launching a full-scale round of summons and questioning in connection with the so-called "Butler Gate" case.
"Butler Gate" refers to allegations that Mr. Kim, who was known as the butler to First Lady Kim, helped establish the rental car company IMS in 2023, and that despite IMS being an insolvent company, secured investments totaling approximately 18 billion won from Kakao Mobility and others by leveraging his relationship with the First Lady. The special prosecutor's team is also examining whether a portion of the investment funds may have been funneled to the First Lady.
The special prosecutor's team plans to begin its first round of summons and questioning this week, targeting Korea Securities Finance, HS Hyosung, Kakao Mobility, Kiwoom Securities, and others.
On July 14, Special Prosecutor Oh Junghui stated, "To swiftly uncover the facts of the Butler Gate case and prevent the destruction of evidence, we will begin summoning and questioning the highest decision-makers at institutions and companies that invested 18.4 billion won in the private equity fund, starting this week."
The special prosecutor's team has requested cooperation in the investigation from Mr. Kim, the central figure in Butler Gate, and his wife, Ms. Jeong. Mr. Kim left the country in April this year and has since indicated to the media his intention to return, but has not been in direct contact with the special prosecutor's team.
Special Prosecutor Oh added, "We urge Mr. Kim to return to Korea immediately and cooperate with the investigation. We also request that Ms. Jeong, who is suspected of holding shares in Innovest under a borrowed name, promptly provide the special prosecutor's office with her whereabouts and contact information, and appear for questioning."
Additionally, the special prosecutor's team has launched a full-scale investigation into allegations of nomination interference, known as the "Myung Taegyun Gate." On this day, the team dispatched investigators to the Presidential Archives under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety in Sejong City to secure materials related to the alleged involvement of former President Yoon Sukyeol, First Lady Kim Keonhee, and political broker Myung Taegyun in the nomination process. The team is collecting evidence of improper nomination and election interference related to the general election.
The special prosecutor's team is also investigating allegations that former President Yoon and First Lady Kim intervened in the nomination process for the National Assembly by-election in June 2022. The core of the allegation is that the former presidential couple, ahead of the 2022 presidential election, exerted influence over the nomination process in return for receiving free public opinion polling from Mr. Myung.
Furthermore, the special prosecutor's team plans to request arrest warrants for key suspects in connection with the Sambo Construction stock price manipulation case, which has been designated as Investigation No. 1. Since the start of the full-scale investigation, the team has summoned and questioned a series of key figures, including former and current chairmen of Sambo Construction, through last week.
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