Most Questions on Nomination and Deutsche Allegations Met with Silence
Ordered to Appear Again on the 20th
"Nearly Impossible Due to Health Issues"
The second round of questioning by the special prosecutor of Madam Kim Gunhee following her detention concluded after seven hours. The special prosecutor's team notified Madam Kim to appear again at 10 a.m. on August 20.
On August 18, Madam Kim arrived at the special prosecutor's office, set up at KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, at approximately 9:43 a.m. in a Ministry of Justice transport vehicle. She left the premises at around 4:37 p.m., about seven hours later.
The morning session began at 10 a.m. and ended at around 11:42 a.m., focusing mainly on the allegations of Myung Taegyun’s involvement in candidate nominations. After lunch, Madam Kim reviewed the morning’s statement from about 1:30 p.m., then underwent questioning related to the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation allegations from approximately 2:30 p.m. to 4:02 p.m. The total time spent on actual questioning was three hours and twelve minutes.
Madam Kim exercised her right to remain silent in response to most questions, occasionally stating, "I don't know," or "I don't remember."
The special prosecutor's team has again summoned Madam Kim to appear at 10 a.m. on August 20. On that day, they reportedly plan to question her regarding the 'Unification Church and Geonjin Monk solicitation allegations.' Madam Kim’s legal team cited health issues, stating, "It would be nearly impossible for her to appear again immediately after only one day of rest," signaling her intention not to attend.
Madam Kim, who was detained on August 12 on charges including violations of the Capital Markets Act, Political Funds Act, and the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (bribery), was previously questioned on August 14. At that time, the special prosecutor's team focused on how she received polling results free of charge from so-called 'political broker' Myung Taegyun, but it is reported that Madam Kim again exercised her right to remain silent for most questions.
Madam Kim is accused of, together with former President Yoon Sukyeol, receiving polling results free of charge from Mr. Myung on 58 occasions during the 2022 presidential election, and in return, exerting influence to secure a party nomination for Kim Youngsun, a former People Power Party lawmaker, in that year's parliamentary by-election. She is also suspected of acting as a 'jeonju' (financial backer) in the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case that occurred from 2009 to 2012.
On the same day, Kim Yesung, who has been identified as the 'steward' for Madam Kim’s family, appeared for questioning for the first time since being detained on August 15 on charges including embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes. Kim is accused of embezzling a total of 3.38 billion won from IMS Mobility, a rental car company he helped establish and in which he holds shares. The so-called 'Steward Gate' investigation, which concerns allegations that IMS Mobility illicitly received 18.4 billion won in investments from major corporations and others, is expected to gain momentum following his detention.
The anticipated face-to-face interrogation between Madam Kim and Mr. Kim did not take place on this day.
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