Kim Yesung, the "Butler," Arrested
Speculation of Possible Face-to-Face Interrogation Emerges
Kim Gunhee is scheduled to appear before the special prosecutor Min Jungki's team at 10:00 a.m. on August 18. This will be her second summons for questioning since her arrest on the night of August 12.
Kim Gunhee, wife of former President Yoon Sukyeol, is leaving the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, after attending a pre-arrest detention hearing on the afternoon of August 12, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps
On August 16, the special prosecutor's team announced, "Through her legal counsel, we have been informed that Kim Gunhee will appear at 10:00 a.m. on August 18."
Initially, Kim Gunhee's side was noncommittal regarding the special prosecutor's request for her to appear at 10:00 a.m. on August 18.
She had planned to confirm her attendance after consulting with her attorney on the morning of August 18, as she was coordinating her hospital appointments, but ultimately decided to appear as scheduled.
This will be the special prosecutor's team's second summons for questioning since the arrest warrant was issued over concerns of evidence destruction.
Kim Gunhee was first questioned after her arrest on August 14.
At that time, Kim Gunhee, wearing handcuffs, arrived at the special prosecutor's office in the KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu at approximately 9:52 a.m. by transport vehicle and was questioned until 2:10 p.m.
Excluding breaks, the actual questioning lasted only 2 hours and 9 minutes. This was because the special prosecutor's team limited the scope of the investigation to allegations of Myung Taegyun's nomination interference, and Kim Gunhee exercised her right to remain silent on most of the charges.
It has been reported that, as in the previous session, attorneys Choi Jiwoo, Chae Myungseong, and Yoo Junghwa will all be present for this round of questioning.
During the previous questioning, Kim Gunhee, who exercised her right to remain silent, reportedly told her attorneys during lunch, "Will I ever be able to live with my husband again? Will we ever meet again?"
With Kim Yesung, who has been identified as the "butler" of Kim Gunhee's family and is a key suspect in the so-called "Butler Gate," having been arrested the previous day due to concerns of flight risk and evidence destruction, there is speculation that the special prosecutor's team may conduct a face-to-face interrogation during the August 18 questioning.
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