Prosecutors Provide Four-Hour Explanation on Non-Prosecution of First Lady Kim Keon-hee
– Prosecutors determined there was no evidence to suggest that Kim Keon-hee was aware of stock manipulation.
– They found no evidence confirming her awareness of the circumstances at the time.
– Despite this, there are unclear explanations regarding letters from a stock manipulation expert and testimonies from the “BP Family.”
– The investigation extended over four years and six months, without a search and seizure of Mrs. Kim’s properties.
– The Democratic Party proposed the third “Kim Keon-hee Special Law.”
The non-prosecution of Kim Keon-hee over her alleged involvement in the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case was reportedly due to a “lack of evidence.” Prosecutors found no material evidence proving she knew about the manipulation, and witnesses consistently claimed, “Mrs. Kim probably did not know.”
However, questions arose regarding the investigation’s lengthy duration of four years and six months and some circumstances unfavorable to Mrs. Kim. In response, the Democratic Party proposed the third “Kim Keon-hee Special Law.”
During a four-hour briefing, prosecutors summarized that there was no evidence to suggest Kim Keon-hee knew about the stock manipulation. She had entrusted four of her six accounts to others and managed two herself, without knowing about the manipulation.
Key reasons for her non-prosecution included:
1. Lack of material evidence suggesting she knew about the manipulation.
2. Statements from involved parties indicating she was unaware of the manipulation.
3. Assessment that Kim lacked sophistication in stock trading, making her unlikely to know about manipulation.
4. No direct contact was found between Mrs. Kim and key figures involved in the stock manipulation.
Despite prosecutors’ explanations, ambiguities remain. There was testimony that Kim personally executed stock transactions linked to manipulation. Prosecutors speculated she may have acted on advice without knowing the manipulation.
While denying manipulation charges, Kwon, a key figure in the case, received a suspended sentence for a related conviction, with prosecutors viewing him as a central figure in the manipulation. Despite Mrs. Kim’s execution of orders after contact with Kwon, prosecutors reported a lack of evidence proving her awareness of the manipulation.
A former suspect in the case mentioned concerns about “only Kim Keon-hee escaping,” suggesting scrutiny on whether attempts were made to shield her due to her connections. However, prosecutors admitted to uncertainties around such testimonies and asserted that investigations of those referenced in these statements yielded no evidence of her awareness.
The Democratic Party has initiated another bill calling for a special investigation into Kim Keon-hee, indicating ongoing political scrutiny. The prosecutors maintain they conducted the investigation based exclusively on evidence and legal principles, despite criticism of the investigation’s length and scope.