"Information Suggests Kim Keonhee Had a 'Secretive Relationship' with Mr. Lee in His 50s"

Jang Kyungtae: "A Different Individual from Lee Jongho"
"Played a Role in the Deutsche Motors Stock Price Manipulation Case"

Jang Kyungtae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated that there is information indicating that a large number of messages suggesting a "highly secretive relationship" between Kim Keonhee, wife of former President Yoon Seokyeol, and a man in his 50s surnamed Lee, have been discovered. Mr. Lee is known to have introduced Jeon Seongbae, also known as "Geonjin Beopsa," to Mrs. Kim.

Kim Keonhee, wife of former President Yoon Seokyeol, is attending the pre-arrest warrant hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on August 12. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Jang, who is a member of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, said on SBS Radio's "Kim Taehyun's Political Show" on the 6th, "Mr. Lee, who is in his 50s, played a significant role in the stock price manipulation scheme involving Deutsche Motors," adding, "He is a different individual from Lee Jongho, the former CEO of Black Pearl Investment, whom Mrs. Kim refers to as her brother."

He further argued, "If you consider why he was so involved, unless Mrs. Kim and Mr. Lee had a very close relationship, there would be no reason for such efforts."

The special prosecutor team led by Min Junggi, which is investigating various allegations against Mrs. Kim, reportedly found around 500 text messages exchanged between Mr. Lee and Mrs. Kim from 2013 to 2016 on Mr. Lee's mobile phone, which was seized during a search of Jeon's Buddhist temple.

However, when the host asked what specifically was meant by a "secretive relationship," Jang replied, "I have not heard the details."

Regarding Mrs. Kim's side admitting to receiving a Chanel bag through Mr. Jeon, Jang commented, "It seems they strategically judged that it would be difficult to argue that the luxury bag was not received," adding, "The more they insist otherwise, the less credible their testimony becomes in court, so they are probably trying to avoid further disadvantage."