Yesterday He Hid His Face, Today He Wears Sunglasses... Kim Keonhee's Brother Shows a Different Side

Suspicion of Preferential Treatment in Yangpyeong Gongheung District and Concealment of First Lady Kim's Necklace
Kim Jinwoo Covered His Face and Left After First Appearance at Special Prosecutor's Office
Returns Wearing Sunglasses for Digital Forensic Observation

Kim Jinwoo, the elder brother of First Lady Kim Keonhee, who is suspected of hiding valuable items such as an expensive necklace reportedly worn by Kim during an overseas trip and of being involved in the alleged preferential treatment in the Yangpyeong Gongheung District development project, appeared again at the special prosecutor's office on the 31st wearing sunglasses. Three days earlier, during his previous questioning, Kim was seen hurriedly leaving the scene, apparently trying to avoid media exposure by covering his face with his suit collar.

Kim Jinwoo, the older brother of First Lady Kim Gunhee, is seen leaving the office of the Min Joongki Special Prosecutor's Team, which is investigating allegations related to the First Lady, located in the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 31st. Photo by Yonhap News

At approximately 10:03 a.m. that day, Kim arrived at the office of Special Prosecutor Min Jungki, located at KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, Seoul, accompanied by his attorney. He later walked out side by side with a person believed to be his lawyer, wearing sunglasses and with both hands in his pants pockets. He appeared for digital forensic observation, attending the analysis process of digital data and electronic evidence obtained through seizure and search by the special prosecutor's team.

This scene was quite different from that of July 28. At that time, after completing his questioning at the same location, Kim covered his face with his suit collar upon noticing reporters as he exited the building. The press asked questions such as, "Why was the First Lady's necklace found at your mother-in-law's house?" "Was there an attempt to destroy evidence?" and "How did you deliver it to your mother-in-law?" However, Kim avoided answering and, supported by his attorney, quickly entered a nearby building.

Kim Jinwoo, the older brother of First Lady Kim Gunhee, is seen leaving the special prosecutor's office in the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the Min Joonggi Special Investigation Team investigating allegations related to the First Lady is located, covering his face after completing his questioning on the 28th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

There have been reactions that this behavior is inappropriate for a former president's family member. On July 30, Kim Jonghyuk, former Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, said in a CBS radio interview on 'Park Jaehong's Hanpan Seungbu,' "If you are a member of the president's family, there is a certain dignity that should be maintained." He added, "He's not some petty criminal, but he was running around hiding his face from the cameras, and I felt a bit of sorrow watching that."

He continued, "He's the president's brother-in-law; is it really a problem if his face is captured on camera? He keeps his head down, trying not to be caught on camera, and I don't know whether to feel sorry or embarrassed for him," adding, "Does he not even have that much confidence?"

Meanwhile, on July 25, the special prosecutor's team conducted searches and seizures at eight locations, including Kim's residence, the ESI&D office, and the Songpa-gu home of Kim's mother, Choi Eunsun. During this process, a luxury Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, reportedly worn by Kim during the 2022 NATO Summit, was found at Kim's mother-in-law's residence. The necklace became a subject of suspicion after it was omitted from the asset disclosure of former President Yoon Sukyeol.

The special prosecutor is currently investigating whether Kim received the necklace along with a request for a favor, and suspects the possibility of a "switch" as the seized necklace is believed to be a counterfeit rather than an authentic item. It is reported that during the questioning on July 28, Kim refused to provide specific testimony regarding the necklace.