Special Prosecutor to Summon Seohi Construction Chairman Lee Bonggwan and Son-in-law Park Sunggeun on September 2
Investigation Intensifies Into "Buying and Selling of Positions" Scandal
The special prosecutor team led by Min Jungki, which is investigating allegations related to Kim Gunhee, will summon Lee Bonggwan, Chairman of Seohi Construction, and Park Sunggeun, former Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister and Lee's eldest son-in-law, simultaneously on September 2, intensifying the investigation into the alleged sale of public offices.
Kim Gunhee, wife of former President Yoon Sukyeol, who is accused of violating the Act on Capital Market and Financial Investment Business, the Political Funds Act, and the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (accepting bribes), is leaving the courtroom after the pretrial detention hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on August 12, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps
On September 1, Special Prosecutor Kim Hyeonggeun announced at a regular briefing, "Tomorrow at 10 a.m., Chairman Lee will be summoned for questioning, and at 2 p.m., former Chief of Staff Park will be questioned." Chairman Lee had previously submitted a written confession stating that he gave Kim Gunhee a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace and other gifts as part of a request for personnel appointments involving his son-in-law, former Chief of Staff Park.
Special Prosecutor Kim stated, "The essence of the special investigation is to uncover the truth behind suspicions that a private individual-who was neither elected nor legally empowered-used resources from the presidential office to pursue personal gain, thereby undermining the rule of law in the Republic of Korea."
The special prosecutor team, which indicted Kim Gunhee on August 29, is accelerating its investigation into the alleged sale of public offices, including claims that expensive gifts were delivered to Kim Gunhee in exchange for various favors.
Previously, suspicions arose that a necklace worn by Kim Gunhee during her June 2022 trip to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit was omitted from former President Yoon Sukyeol's asset disclosure. According to the Public Service Ethics Act, jewelry valued at over 5 million won must be reported, but the necklace in question, worth 62 million won, was reportedly not included in the disclosure list.
Kim Gunhee claimed that the necklace was a counterfeit purchased in Hong Kong 20 years ago. However, the special prosecutor team received both a written confession and the genuine necklace from Seohi Construction, stating that the real necklace was gifted to Kim Gunhee shortly after former President Yoon took office and was returned a few years later. Last month, the special prosecutor team conducted searches and seizures at Seohi Construction's headquarters in Seocho-gu, Seoul, and at the residence of former Chief of Staff Park.
Additionally, the special prosecutor team announced that it is also investigating Lee Baeyong, Chairperson of the National Education Commission, who offered her resignation earlier that day. During a search related to the alleged preferential treatment in the development of the Yangpyeong Gongheung District by Kim Gunhee's family, the team discovered a letter-apparently written by Chairperson Lee to the former presidential couple-along with a gold turtle.
Special Prosecutor Kim stated, "No arrangements have been made for summoning Chairperson Lee," adding, "We will determine the necessary steps as needed."
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