Suspicions of Internal Live Broadcast by Special Prosecutor Team During Kim’s Questioning in August
Special Prosecutor Team: "No Legal or Procedural Issues"
Lee Baeyong to Be Summoned on the 20th Over “Geumgeobugi Bribery” Allegations
The special prosecutor team led by Min Junggi, which is investigating various allegations against Mrs. Kim Gunhee, drew a clear line regarding suspicions that Mrs. Kim’s questioning was broadcast in real time without her consent, stating, "There is absolutely no legal or human rights issue involved."
The first trial of Mrs. Kim Gunhee, who was arrested and indicted on charges of stock price manipulation related to Deutsch Motors and allegations of receiving money from the Unification Church, was held on the afternoon of the 24th. Mrs. Kim is entering the courtroom and waiting for the trial. September 24, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps
On the 17th, Special Prosecutor Kim Hyeonggeun stated at a regular briefing, "The questioning of Kim Gunhee was not video recorded because the suspect did not consent," and added, "Even hypothetically, there would be no legal or procedural issue if the investigation was monitored in real time." He continued, "This is a case that the entire nation is watching, and real-time monitoring is actually necessary from a human rights perspective to ensure an immediate response to any unexpected health emergencies during the investigation."
Previously, some media outlets reported that during Mrs. Kim’s first questioning by the special prosecutor team in August, the session was not recorded, but was broadcast internally among the investigation team without notifying Mrs. Kim’s side. This led to criticism from some quarters that such broadcasting might have been inappropriate. The special prosecutor team maintains that, even if real-time monitoring was conducted for major cases, there is absolutely no problem from a legal, procedural, or human rights protection standpoint.
Meanwhile, the special prosecutor team will summon Lee Baeyong, former Chairperson of the National Education Commission, on the 20th in connection with the “Geumgeobugi bribery” allegations. Although Lee is currently being summoned as a witness, there is a possibility that his status could change to that of a suspect during the investigation.
The special prosecutor team believes that Mrs. Kim exerted influence in the process of Lee’s appointment as Chairperson of the National Education Commission after receiving gifts. Previously, a gold turtle, which is suspected to have been given by Lee along with a request for a personnel appointment, was found in a safe owned by Mrs. Kim’s younger sibling inside a nursing home operated by Mrs. Kim’s mother, Choi Eunsun.
Additionally, the special prosecutor team plans to directly question former President Yoon Sukyeol at the conclusion of the investigation. Special Prosecutor Kim stated, "It is absolutely necessary to summon former President Yoon," and added, "Since it would not be appropriate to question him several times, we are considering conducting the questioning collectively at the end of the investigation."
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