Kim Gun-hee Special Counsel: "Audit Underway on Deceased Yangpyeong Official... No Evidence of Coercion or Inducement"

Deceased Official's Side Claims "Special Prosecutor Forced Testimony"
Special Prosecutor Reviewing Provision of Interrogation Records to Attorney
Additional Personnel Join, Including Chief Prosecutor Ki Noseong

The Kim Gun-hee Special Prosecutor's Team (led by Special Prosecutor Min Joongki) announced that, so far, no evidence of coercive investigation has been found in connection with the case of the deceased Yangpyeong civil servant.

Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki, who is in charge of the case related to allegations against Kim Gun-hee, wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, is giving a greeting speech at the plaque unveiling ceremony held on July 2, 2025, at the special prosecutor's office set up in the KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

At a regular briefing on the 14th, Deputy Special Prosecutor Park Sangjin stated, "An investigation into the circumstances, equivalent to an internal audit, is currently underway," adding, "No circumstances of coercion or inducement have been found." He continued, "I understand that the deceased's funeral was held today. Once again, I offer my condolences," and added, "We will use this as an opportunity to reflect on and review our investigative methods and previous practices."

The deceased official, referred to as Mr. A, appeared before the special prosecutor's team as a suspect on July 2 in connection with allegations of preferential treatment in the Yangpyeong Gongheung District development project. On October 10, he was found dead at his home in Yangpyeong-eup, Yangpyeong County. In a handwritten note left by Mr. A, he described psychological distress related to the investigation and claimed that he had been pressured to testify that he acted on the instructions of Kim Sun-kyo, a People Power Party lawmaker who was then the Yangpyeong County Governor.

On the same day, Park Kyungho, Mr. A's attorney, held a press conference at Mr. A's memorial altar and announced plans to file a complaint against the special prosecutor's team on charges including abuse of authority. Attorney Park claimed, "The interrogation record prepared by the special prosecutor's team contains false information," and insisted, "The team forced testimony suggesting that, in collusion with then-Governor Kim, they unjustly exempted development charges for the company owned by Mrs. Kim's family."

Attorney Park also argued, "The special prosecutor's team conducted an illegal late-night interrogation of the deceased without written consent." In response, Deputy Special Prosecutor Park explained, "Although a separate late-night investigation consent form was not prepared, the interrogation record does include a statement indicating consent to the late-night questioning."

Attorney Park has requested access to Mr. A's interrogation records, but the special prosecutor's team maintains that a review is necessary to determine whether his authority as Mr. A's legal representative can be recognized. Under civil law, a power of attorney is terminated upon the client's death.

Meanwhile, under the so-called "Stronger Special Prosecutor Act," which includes provisions for expanding investigative personnel and extending the investigation period, the team has recruited Chief Prosecutor Ki Noseong (36th Judicial Research and Training Institute class) and two additional prosecutors. The team is also expected to nominate candidates for deputy special prosecutor and submit them to the presidential office for appointment within this month. Deputy Special Prosecutor Park stated, "The specific appointments are currently in progress," and added, "We are appointing new team leader-level chief prosecutors and sending official documents to the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, and we are working to bring on board two deputy special prosecutors."