Investigation as a Suspect Begins on the Morning of the 6th
First Public Summons of a Former First Lady if She Appears
Full Efforts to Clarify Nomination Intervention and Unification Church Allegations
On August 5, the special prosecutor team led by Min Jungki announced, one day before the first summons investigation of First Lady Kim Keonhee, that "the investigation will proceed according to the law and principles." This statement is interpreted as an indication that no special privileges will be given to Kim, who has cited health issues.
Former President Yoon Sukyeol and Kim Geonhee are talking inside a car as they leave the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on April 11, 2025. Photo by Yoon Dongju
At a regular briefing that afternoon, Special Prosecutor Oh Junghui stated regarding Kim's summons, "The investigation will be conducted at the deputy chief prosecutor level, and there is no scheduled tea time with Special Prosecutor Min Jungki."
The special prosecutor team will summon Kim as a suspect for questioning starting at 10 a.m. on August 6. If Kim appears tomorrow, it will be the first time a former First Lady stands at the photo line as a suspect. Kim's side has expressed their intention to appear before the special prosecutor and cooperate fully with the investigation.
Previously, Kim's side requested the special prosecutor team to guarantee breaks during the investigation due to health reasons and to conclude the questioning before 6 p.m. However, the special prosecutor team responded that "no separate consultation is necessary." On this day, Special Prosecutor Oh declined to answer reporters' questions regarding the possibility of additional questioning or late-night investigation.
Ahead of Kim's summons, the special prosecutor team is focusing on consolidating charges by summoning several individuals related to various allegations at the same time. Special Prosecutor Oh stated, "We are currently questioning Mr. Yoon, the former global headquarters chief of the Unification Church, who was arrested in connection with allegations of state affairs and personnel intervention involving Geonjinbeopsa."
The special prosecutor team is also questioning Mr. Kim, who previously served as the head of Mirae Korea Research Institute, a public opinion research firm reportedly operated in practice by 'political broker' Mr. Myung, as a reference in connection with the 'Myung Taegyun nomination intervention allegations.'
Additionally, the special prosecutor team is discussing the investigation schedule for former President Yoon Sukyeol. On the morning of August 5, the team announced, "The letter of attorney for former President Yoon has been received, and we will discuss the schedule and method of the summons investigation with his attorney," adding, "There are no plans to execute an arrest warrant today or tomorrow."
The special prosecutor team visited Seoul Detention Center on August 1 to execute an arrest warrant, but the attempt failed due to former President Yoon's refusal. The arrest warrant for former President Yoon is valid until August 7.
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