The special prosecutor team led by Min Junggi, which is investigating allegations related to Kim Geonhee, has arrested Kim Yesung, who has been identified as the 'butler' for Kim's family, at Incheon International Airport. The special prosecutor's office plans to begin a full-scale investigation into Kim Yesung.
According to the legal community on August 12, Kim Yesung was apprehended at Incheon International Airport that afternoon. The plane carrying Kim landed at Incheon Airport at 5:08 p.m., and the special prosecutor's team executed the arrest warrant on the jet bridge. Kim was arrested upon returning to Korea for the first time in about four months, after suddenly leaving for Vietnam in April, following the impeachment of former President Yoon Sukyeol.
Kim Gunhee, wife of former President Yoon Seokyeol, who is accused of violating the Capital Markets and Financial Investment Services Act, the Political Funds Act, and the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (Receiving Bribes), is attending a pre-arrest detention hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the morning of August 12, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps
When asked by reporters how he plans to explain the allegations related to Kim Geonhee, Kim Yesung stated, "I have not been involved in any illegal or improper activities," and added, "I will fully cooperate with the special prosecutor and respond to the investigation sincerely." When asked whether his departure was an attempt to evade investigation, he reiterated, "I will fully cooperate with the special prosecutor."
The special prosecutor's team plans to conduct a full-scale investigation at the office set up in KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, Seoul. If they determine that there is a risk of flight or evidence destruction, they may request an arrest warrant immediately after the investigation.
As Kim Yesung, known as the 'butler,' is believed to be well aware of the flow of funds and the process of asset accumulation related to Kim Geonhee, attention is focused on whether new testimony will emerge during the upcoming investigation. Kim is a central figure in the so-called 'Butler Gate,' one of the main targets of the special prosecutor's investigation. IMS Mobility, a rental car company that Kim helped establish and in which he holds shares, is suspected of having received an improper investment of 18.4 billion won from Kakao Mobility and Shinhan Bank in 2023.
After leaving for Vietnam in April, Kim Yesung did not comply with requests from the special prosecutor's team to appear for questioning. The special prosecutor's team regarded this as an attempt to evade investigation, and in response, initiated procedures to invalidate his passport and requested an Interpol Red Notice, while also imposing a travel ban on his spouse. At the end of last month, Kim submitted a statement through his attorney, expressing his willingness to appear if the travel ban on his spouse was lifted, but the special prosecutor did not accept this request.
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