Special Prosecutor: "Will Request Again Tomorrow"
Regarding the allegation that First Lady Kim Keonhee received a luxury brand 'Roger Vivier' bag from the spouse of People Power Party lawmaker Kim Kihyun, Special Prosecutor Min Joongki's team summoned Assemblyman Kim, but he did not comply. The special investigation team stated that an in-person investigation of Assemblyman Kim is unavoidable and plans to request his appearance again soon.
Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is making a statement after visiting the office of Assemblyman Kim Kihyun inside the National Assembly Members' Office Building, which the Kim Gunhee Special Investigation Team raided on the 17th. Photo by Yonhap News
On the 17th, the special investigation team announced to the media, "Regarding the summons of Assemblyman Kim Kihyun, we already sent a postal summons notice with the previous day's date as the scheduled appearance date, but it was not delivered due to the recipient's absence," adding, "Both Assemblyman Kim and his aides have stated that they have not received any contact from the special investigation team as of yesterday."
The special investigation team also stated that Assemblyman Kim expressed multiple times at the scene of the search and seizure of his residence and other locations that he had no intention of complying with the summons request.
The special investigation team explained, "An investigation of Assemblyman Kim Kihyun is absolutely necessary to verify the contents of the materials obtained through the search and seizure," adding, "We plan to request his appearance again tomorrow in accordance with procedures."
On the morning of the 17th, the special investigation team conducted search and seizure operations at Assemblyman Kim's residence, the National Assembly Security Office, and his parliamentary office. It is reported that the search and seizure warrant specified Assemblyman Kim as an accomplice to his spouse Lee's alleged violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.
Lee is suspected of delivering a Roger Vivier bag worth approximately 2.6 million won to the First Lady after Assemblyman Kim was elected as the People Power Party leader in March 2023.
On November 6, the special investigation team discovered the clutch bag in question and a thank-you letter written by Assemblyman Kim's wife during a search and seizure of the former President Yoon Sukyeol couple's residence. The special investigation team suspects that the First Lady mobilized members of the Unification Church to support Assemblyman Kim's election as party leader in March 2022 and received the bag in return.
In connection with the allegation, the special investigation team summoned Lee as a suspect for questioning on December 5, and on November 20, conducted search and seizure operations at a department store in Seoul where Roger Vivier is located, focusing on verifying the facts.
According to the investigation, it was found that the payment for the bag was withdrawn from Assemblyman Kim's account during the purchase process. Lee reportedly testified that "my husband did not know about the purchase." However, the special investigation team believes that Assemblyman Kim was aware of both the purchase and the delivery of the bag.
On November 8, Assemblyman Kim issued a statement acknowledging, "As the spouse of the newly appointed ruling party leader, I gave the gift to the First Lady as a matter of social courtesy," but insisted that there was no improper solicitation involved.
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