Kim Gunhee Special Prosecutor Summons Kim Beomsoo of Kakao, Cho Hyunsang of HS Hyosung, and Others in 'Butler Gate' Investigation

Special Prosecutor Summons Yoon Changho and Kim Ikrae for Questioning on July 17
Key Figures in "Butler Gate" to Be Investigated as Witnesses, May Become Suspects

Former President Yoon Sukyeol and First Lady Kim Gunhee 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 team led by Min Jungki, which is investigating the various allegations surrounding First Lady Kim Gunhee, is launching a full-scale investigation into the so-called "Butler Gate."

On July 14, the special prosecutor team notified Kim Beomsoo, founder of Kakao; Cho Hyunsang, chairman of HS Hyosung; Yoon Changho, former president of Korea Securities Finance; and Kim Ikrae, former chairman of Daou Kiwoom Group, to appear for questioning on July 17. Although they are currently being summoned as witnesses, there is a possibility that they may be converted to suspects as the investigation progresses.

Mr. Kim, who was known as the First Lady's butler, was involved in the establishment of the rental car company IMS in 2023. Despite IMS being a financially troubled company, it received investments totaling approximately 18 billion won from entities including Kakao Mobility, allegedly based on Mr. Kim's relationship with the First Lady. Of the investment funds, 4.6 billion won was used to purchase IMS shares held by a company called Innovest Korea. Since Mr. Kim's wife, Ms. Jeong, is registered as the sole internal director of Innovest Korea, there is suspicion that the company is in fact a borrowed-name company owned by Mr. Kim. The special prosecutor team is also reportedly investigating whether a portion of the investment funds flowed to the First Lady.

At a briefing on the same day, Special Prosecutor Oh Junghui stated, "In order to swiftly uncover the facts of the Butler Gate case and prevent the destruction of evidence, we will begin summoning the top decision-makers of institutions and companies that invested a total of 18.4 billion won in the private equity fund for questioning this week."

The special prosecutor team has asked Mr. Kim and Ms. Jeong, who are key figures in Butler Gate, to cooperate with the investigation. Mr. Kim left the country in April this year and has since expressed his intention to return to Korea through media contacts, but has not communicated directly with the special prosecutor team.

Special Prosecutor Oh stated, "We urge Mr. Kim to return to Korea immediately and cooperate with the investigation, and we also ask that Ms. Jeong, who is suspected of being involved in the borrowed-name holding of Innovest, promptly disclose her whereabouts and contact information to the special prosecutor and appear for questioning."