Attempt to Secure Custody Immediately After First Summons Investigation
Rebuttal to Yoon's Side's Objection to 'Refusal of Arrest'
"Considered Detention Status... Do Not Find It Inappropriate"
The special prosecutor team led by Min Jungki, which is investigating allegations against Kim Gunhee, requested a detention warrant for her on the 7th, just one day after conducting its first summons investigation. The special prosecutor's team also emphasized on the same day that its renewed attempt to execute an arrest warrant for former President Yoon Sukyeol was in accordance with due process.
Kim Gunhee is arriving at the special prosecutor Min Jungki's office set up in the KT Gwanghwamun Building West, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 6th. 2025.08.06 Photo by Joint Press Corps
Special Prosecutor Oh Junghui stated at a regular briefing that "at approximately 1:21 p.m. today, we requested a detention warrant for Kim Gunhee," adding, "We determined that there was a need to request a detention warrant, and that all legal requirements for such a warrant had been met." This marks the first attempt to secure the custody of the central figure in the allegations, 36 days after the special prosecutor team officially launched its investigation on July 2. The charges listed in the detention warrant are threefold: violation of the Act on Capital Markets and Financial Investment Services, violation of the Political Funds Act, and receiving bribes under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.
Kim Gunhee Denies Charges During First Summons Investigation... Possibility of 'Simultaneous Detention of Couple'
The special prosecutor's team summoned Kim Gunhee the previous day and conducted a face-to-face investigation for about 11 hours. It is understood that the investigation focused on the alleged stock price manipulation involving Deutsche Motors, the alleged intervention in the nomination process by Myung Taegyun, and the alleged solicitation by Geonjin Bopsa. The team also questioned her about the owner of the Van Cleef & Arpels necklace she wore during the NATO summit trip and why it was not reported as an asset.
Kim Gunhee is reported to have consistently denied the charges without exercising her right to remain silent. Regarding the stock price manipulation allegations, she stated, "I was unaware of the stock price manipulation." On the alleged intervention in the nomination process, she said, "Mr. Myung unilaterally sent the public opinion poll, and I never intervened in the nomination." Regarding the Unification Church solicitation issue, she explained, "I have never received a necklace or a luxury bag," and stated that the necklace was "a replica I had given to my mother as a gift, which I borrowed back to wear."
Other cases under investigation, such as the alleged route change of the Yangpyeong Expressway and the alleged preferential treatment in the development of the Yangpyeong Gongheung District, are expected to be investigated in earnest after Kim Gunhee is taken into custody. There are a total of 16 allegations related to Kim Gunhee under investigation by the special prosecutor's team.
Since former President Yoon Sukyeol was re-detained by the special prosecutor team for insurrection on July 10 and is currently being held at the Seoul Detention Center, if Kim Gunhee is also detained, it will mark the first time in history that a former presidential couple is detained simultaneously.
Another Failed Attempt to Arrest Yoon... Decision on Reapplying for Warrant 'Undecided'
Meanwhile, Special Prosecutor Oh stated regarding the attempt to execute the arrest warrant for former President Yoon that "we are currently investigating the circumstances, as a defense attorney was found in an area where attorneys are not permitted."
Earlier in the day, the special prosecutor team attempted once again to execute the arrest warrant for former President Yoon, but failed. The team later explained, "We attempted to execute the arrest warrant by means including the use of physical force, but accepted the opinion from the field that there was concern about possible injuries due to the suspect's strong resistance." The validity period of the arrest warrant for former President Yoon expires today.
Special Prosecutor Oh emphasized, "The arrest warrant, lawfully issued by the court, was executed taking into account the suspect's detention status. It was executed lawfully." This directly refuted the statement made by former President Yoon's side at a press conference in the afternoon, where they claimed that "the special prosecutor's team attempted to execute the arrest warrant excessively" and threatened legal action.
The special prosecutor's team avoided giving direct answers to questions from the press, such as "Who made the decision to halt the process?" and "Will you apply for an additional arrest warrant?" Regarding whether they would indict without an investigation, the team stated, "We will not comment on specifics. We executed the lawful warrant in accordance with the law, and we do not consider it inappropriate or unjustified," and refrained from further comment.
However, even if the team succeeds in obtaining a new arrest warrant and bringing former President Yoon into the interrogation room, there is a high possibility that he will exercise his right to remain silent, raising the prospect that he could be indicted without a face-to-face investigation.
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