Investigation Expands to Include Park Sung-geun, Lee Bae-yong, and Seo Sung-bin on Allegations of Trading Position for Money
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| The special investigation team led by Min Jung-gi, investigating suspicions involving First Lady Kim Kun-hee, conducted a search and seizure at the Seohee Construction headquarters in Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, regarding the ‘NATO necklace suspicion’. [Yonhap] |
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, ‘[Herald Economy = Reporter Lee Yong-gyeong] The special investigation team led by Min Jung-gi, which is investigating various allegations involving First Lady Kim Kun-hee, will summon Lee Bong-gwan, chairman of Seohui Construction, and his eldest son-in-law Park Sung-geun, former chief secretary to the Prime Minister, on the 2nd, accelerating the investigation into allegations of trading positions for money. The special investigation team will also attend the detention hearings of those involved in the ‘Butler Gate’ scandal on the same day to secure additional custody.’,
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, ‘Special prosecutor Kim Hyung-geun held a press briefing at the special prosecutor’s office in Gwanghwamun on the afternoon of the 1st, stating, “In connection with the suspicion that Kim Kun-hee received a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace from Seohui Construction, chairman Lee will be summoned at 10 a.m., and former secretary Park will be summoned at 2 p.m. on the 2nd.” The summoning of these individuals comes three weeks after the search and seizure at Seohui Construction in Yangjae-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul.’,
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, ‘The special prosecutor’s office is speeding up the remaining investigations following the arrest and indictment of Kim Kun-hee, who is central to various suspicions, on the 29th of last month. Particularly, allegations of trading positions for money, involving high-value gifts like a diamond necklace, luxury watches, and a gold turtle, received by Kim Kun-hee during the tenure of former President Yoon, have become major targets of the investigation.’,
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, ‘The Van Cleef & Arpels necklace, worth 62 million won, worn by Kim Kun-hee during the NATO tour, was allegedly provided by chairman Lee of Seohui Construction in March 2022 for the purpose of influencing the appointment of his son-in-law, Park, along with other high-value gifts. Park was indeed appointed as the chief secretary to the Prime Minister (deputy minister level) about three months after the necklace was given. Recently, chairman Lee confessed to the special prosecutors that he offered lavish gifts to Kim Kun-hee to seek Park’s appointment.’,
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, ‘Moreover, the special prosecutors are intensifying their investigation into Lee Bae-yong, chairman of the National Education Commission, who announced his resignation that morning. During an investigation on the 28th of last month into allegations of development favoritism involving Kim Kun-hee’s family in the Yangpyeong Gongheung district, the special prosecutors secured a letter presumed to be written by chairman Lee to the presidential couple, along with a ‘gold turtle’. However, the special prosecutor’s office has yet to schedule an interview with chairman Lee.’,
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, ‘Special prosecutor Kim stated, “We will confirm additional details and then decide on the summoning schedule as necessary for the investigation.” Additionally, the special prosecutors searched the residence of robotic dog entrepreneur Seo Sung-bin, CEO of Drone Dome, on the 28th of last month. Seo is suspected of gifting a Vacheron Constantin watch worth 50 million won to Kim Kun-hee in September 2022 to seek business favors.’,
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, ‘Meanwhile, the special prosecutors aim to secure additional custody through detention hearings scheduled for the 2nd, involving Jo Young-tak, CEO of IMS Mobility, Mo Jae-yong, Chief of Management, and Min Kyung-min, CEO of Oasis Equity Partners, who are implicated in the ‘Butler Gate’ scandal. Previously, the special prosecutors arrested and indicted the main suspect of the Butler Gate scandal, Kim Ye-seong, on charges of aggravated embezzlement under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Certain Economic Crimes on the 29th of last month, with Jo reportedly being charged as an accomplice.’,
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, ‘On this day, special prosecutor Kim remarked, “It has been two months since the special investigation team was formed, and there are still several ongoing investigations,” sharing brief insights into the current state of the investigation. He emphasized, “The essence of the special investigation is to reveal the truth behind allegations that an unelected individual, not authorized by law, exploited the resources of the presidential office for personal gain, undermining the rule of law in Korea,” promising that all members of the special investigation team are committed to resolving these fundamental suspicions until the very end.’,
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