Prosecutor General Unhappy with Post-notification on Stock Price Manipulation and Luxury Bag Investigation,
President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Geon-hee, who completed their schedule for attending the 75th NATO Summit, arrived at Dulles International Airport near Washington, DC, on the 11th(local time) for their return to Korea. Yonhap News,
,
, ‘First Lady Kim Geon-hee, as the spouse of the incumbent President, underwent prosecutorial questioning for the first time in history.’,
,
, ‘Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2 (Head Prosecutor Choi Jae-hoon) and Criminal Division 1 (Head Prosecutor Kim Seung-ho) conducted an investigation with Mrs. Kim from 1:30 p.m. on the 20th to 1:20 a.m. the following day for about 11 hours and 50 minutes at a government security building. Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, which is investigating allegations of stock price manipulation and illicit receipt of luxury bags, had previously discussed the timing and method of the interrogation with Mrs. Kim and conducted the questioning at a third-party location rather than the prosecution building for security and safety reasons.’,
,
, ‘Mrs. Kim’s legal representative stated on the 21st, “Mrs. Kim sincerely participated in the investigation and truthfully presented the facts.”‘,
,
, ‘Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office informed Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok of the fact that Mrs. Kim underwent face-to-face questioning afterward. The Prosecutor General has publicly stated that there is “no sacred area” regarding Mrs. Kim’s investigation. Therefore, it is reported that he showed discomfort at the investigation being conducted differently from his views. A prosecution official stated, “The Prosecutor General is deeply considering the situation.” There is speculation in some circles that there could be conflict between the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office and the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office regarding the future direction of handling the case.’,
,
, ‘Meanwhile, a presidential office official met with reporters on this day and stated, “It is inappropriate for the presidential office to directly mention the matters under investigation by the prosecution” and said, “We expect the legal representative to make a statement.”‘,
,
,