“Investigation to be conducted after the presidential election to maintain neutrality” just one day after notification of attendance for ‘party nomination intervention’ allegations,
First Lady Kim Kun-hee, accompanying President Yoon Suk-yeol to the ASEAN summit, talks with a Laotian official who welcomed her upon arrival at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, Laos, on October 9, 2024 (local time). Yonhap News,
, ‘It has been confirmed that First Lady Kim Kun-hee, who is suspected of ‘interfering in party nominations,’ informed the investigation team that it would be difficult to attend the face-to-face investigation scheduled for the 14th.’,
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, ‘According to research by the Hankyoreh, Kim’s side submitted a notice of non-attendance to the Nam Tae-kyun investigation team dedicated to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office (headed by Deputy Prosecutor Lee Ji-hyung) on the 13th. Previously, the prosecution had delivered a notice of attendance to Kim, requesting her to attend the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office on the 14th as a suspect in relation to violations of the Public Official Election Act and the Political Funds Act.’,
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, ‘Kim’s side reportedly conveyed their position to the prosecution that they would be willing to be investigated after the presidential election on June 3. They argued in the non-attendance notice that △if an investigation into a specific party’s (People Power Party) nomination intervention takes place, speculative reports may proliferate, △considering the prosecution of former President Moon Jae-in on bribery charges without face-to-face investigation, it would not be equitable, and △investigation post-election is necessary to maintain political neutrality.’,
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, ‘The prosecution is reportedly planning to review Kim’s reasons for non-attendance and will set and notify a new date for attendance. Kim is suspected of receiving free opinion polls from Nam Tae-kyun, a key figure in the ‘party nomination intervention by Yoon Suk-yeol’s former presidential couple’ allegations, and, in return, being involved in the nomination of former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Young-sun in the 2022 National Assembly by-elections.’,
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