Judged as a Co-conspirator, Not an Accomplice, in Deutsch Stock Manipulation
Changed Mobile Phone After Yoon Sukyeol's Removal in April
Special Prosecutor Cites "Evidence of Destruction"
The special prosecutor team led by Min Junggi, which is investigating allegations related to Kim Gunhee, is reported to have specified in Kim's arrest warrant that she "colluded" with Jeon Seongbae, known as Geonjin Bopsa, regarding the allegations of soliciting favors related to the Unification Church.
Kim Gunhee, who is suspected of being involved in stock price manipulation of Deutsch Motors, is appearing as a suspect at the Kim Gunhee Special Investigation Team set up in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 6th. 2025.8.6. Photo by Kang Jinhyung
According to the legal community on the 8th, the arrest warrant requested by the special prosecutor team for Kim Gunhee the previous day reportedly states that Kim, in collusion with Jeon, who is identified as a "political broker," received expensive goods from the Unification Church. The special prosecutor team applied charges including violations of the Capital Markets Act and the Political Funds Act, as well as the aggravated punishment for mediation under the Special Act.
The special prosecutor team, which searched Kim's residence and other locations on July 25, listed the Unification Church's requests?such as support for the Cambodia Mekong River development project and the acquisition of YTN?in the search warrant at that time. However, it is reported that the arrest warrant did not specify such concrete quid pro quo relationships.
When Kim Gunhee appeared before the special prosecutor for questioning on the 6th, she reportedly stated that she "never received any goods" in response to allegations that Yoon, the former global head of the Unification Church, had handed over a diamond necklace, a Chanel bag, and other items through Jeon between April and August 2022 to seek favors for church-related issues. The special prosecutor team is said to have constructed the criminal facts against Kim by highlighting, based on phone call records with Yoon, that Kim and Jeon acted in concert and jointly received requests from the Unification Church.
The special prosecutor team is also reported to have designated Kim Gunhee not as a mere accomplice but as a co-conspirator in price manipulation regarding the Deutsch Motors stock price manipulation that occurred between 2009 and 2012, claiming she participated as a "financial backer."
Kim Gunhee and former President Yoon are also suspected of having received illegal poll results from political broker Myung Taegyun during the 2022 20th presidential election campaign. The special prosecutor team reportedly counted the number of illegal polls Kim received from Myung?including both published and unpublished cases?at over 50. It is alleged that after receiving polling services worth a total of 270 million won free of charge, Kim was involved in ensuring that former lawmaker Kim Youngsun was nominated in the June 1 parliamentary by-election that year.
The special prosecutor team reportedly emphasized the necessity of arrest, citing a high risk of evidence destruction since Kim has denied the charges, as well as a significant possibility that she may not cooperate with the investigation due to frequent hospitalizations. It was also reported that after former President Yoon was removed from office following the passage of the impeachment bill in April, Kim changed her mobile phone, which was cited as further evidence of possible destruction of evidence.
The hearing to determine whether to issue an arrest warrant for Kim Gunhee will be held at 10:10 a.m. on August 12 at the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Jeong Jaeuk. The decision on whether Kim will be detained is expected as early as late at night on the 12th. If the court grants the arrest warrant, it would mark the first time in constitutional history that a former presidential couple is imprisoned simultaneously.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
