Special Prosecutor to Summon Kim Sangmin Tomorrow Over Alleged Nomination Intervention
Suspected of Gifting Painting to First Lady Kim for Nomination Purposes
Former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo Also to Be Questioned Over Allegations of Selling Government Positions
The special prosecutor team led by Min Jungki, which is investigating various allegations related to First Lady Kim Keonhee, has conducted a search and seizure of the residence of former prosecutor Kim Sangmin and plans to summon him for questioning on September 9. The special prosecutor suspects that, in connection with the allegations of First Lady Kim's involvement in the nomination process, Kim Sangmin handed over a painting by artist Lee Ufan in order to secure a nomination.
Prosecutor Sangmin Kim holding a press conference for the general election candidacy. Photo by Yonhap News
On the 8th, a member of the special prosecutor team stated during a regular briefing, "The special prosecutor will summon former chief prosecutor Kim at 10 a.m. on the 9th for questioning." It has been reported that Kim also intends to comply with the summons. Since the morning of that day, the special prosecutor team has been conducting a search and seizure at the local residence of former chief prosecutor Kim Sangmin.
The nomination intervention allegations include claims that First Lady Kim worked to have Kim Sangmin run for the Changwon Uichang district in South Gyeongsang Province, which was previously represented by former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Youngsun, in last year's general election.
Myeong Taegyun, a so-called "political broker" who assisted Kim Youngsun at the time, has claimed, "First Lady Kim instructed us to support Kim Sangmin so that he could win in Changwon Uichang district. She said that if he succeeded, he would be given a ministerial post or appointed as the head of a public corporation after the election." However, Kim Sangmin ultimately did not receive the nomination for the Changwon Uichang district and was instead appointed as a legal advisor to the National Intelligence Service in August of the same year.
Recently, the special prosecutor team reportedly confirmed that Kim Sangmin was the buyer of Lee Ufan's painting "From Point No. 800298," which was discovered during a search and seizure of the home of First Lady Kim's brother's mother-in-law. The team suspects that First Lady Kim's side may have intervened in Kim Sangmin's nomination for the general election in exchange for receiving the painting.
The special prosecutor team is expected to summon Kim Sangmin as a suspect at 10 a.m. on September 9 to question him about the painting and related matters.
'Allegations of Selling Government Positions': Han Ducksoo to Be Summoned on the 9th
Additionally, the special prosecutor team will summon former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo on September 9 in connection with the "allegations of selling government positions" regarding the appointment of the chief of staff to the prime minister. The team initially planned to summon Han at 10 a.m., but later announced that the time had been changed to 2 p.m.
Former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, who is accused of aiding and abetting rebellion related to the emergency martial law on December 3, is attending the pre-arrest detention hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 27th. This is the first time in constitutional history that an arrest warrant has been requested for a former prime minister. 2025.08.27 Photo by Yoon Dongjoo
The special prosecutor team is expected to question Han Ducksoo about whether there was any intervention from higher authorities during the selection of the chief of staff.
Lee Bonggwan, chairman of Seohi Construction, previously submitted a written confession stating that in March 2022, he gave First Lady Kim Keonhee expensive jewelry, including a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, and requested that his son-in-law, attorney Park Seonggeun, be given an opportunity to work in public office. In fact, about three months after the necklace was delivered, attorney Park was appointed as chief of staff to then-Prime Minister Han Ducksoo.
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