Simultaneous Appearance at 10 a.m. on the 18th
Face-to-Face Interrogation Expected in "Aide Gate" Investigation
First Lady Kim Keonhee and Kim Yesung, known as her "aide," are both scheduled to appear before the special prosecutor Min Jungki's team on the morning of August 18, signaling the official start of the so-called "Aide Gate" investigation.
On August 17, the special prosecutor's team investigating allegations related to Kim Keonhee announced to the media, "We have summoned Kim Yesung, a detained suspect, for questioning at 10 a.m. on August 18." This will be the first interrogation since Kim Yesung was taken into custody on August 15.
Previously, on August 15, Kim Yesung was arrested on charges of embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes and occupational embezzlement. The court issued a detention warrant, citing concerns about the possibility of evidence destruction and flight risk.
Kim Yesung, known as the First Lady's aide, is the central figure in the "Aide Gate" scandal. "Aide Gate" refers to suspicions surrounding the background and process by which large corporations and financial and investment firms invested a total of 18.4 billion won in IMS Mobility, a rental car company that Kim Yesung helped establish and in which he holds shares. The special prosecutor's team suspects that, at the time of the investment, IMS Mobility was effectively in a state of capital impairment, and that companies facing management issues or legal risks may have provided funds as a form of insurance or in exchange for favors.
The special prosecutor's team applied charges of embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes, requested a detention warrant for Kim Yesung, and received the warrant from the court on August 15. The warrant specifies that Kim Yesung embezzled a total of 3.38 billion won from the IMS Mobility investment funds through a shell company he effectively owns.
On the same day, the special prosecutor's team will also summon First Lady Kim Keonhee for questioning for the second time since her detention. The team first summoned her on August 14 after her arrest to question her about allegations of involvement in candidate nominations, but it is reported that she exercised her right to remain silent for most of the questioning.
With both Kim Keonhee and Kim Yesung appearing for questioning at the same time, there is speculation that a face-to-face interrogation regarding the Aide Gate and related matters may take place.
Kim Yesung has consistently denied being an aide to the First Lady's family and has also denied that Kim Keonhee was involved in IMS Mobility's investment funds or his own investment profits.
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