Pastor Choi Jaeyoung Undergoes 7-Hour Police Investigation Over 'Luxury Bag Delivery'

Pastor Choi: "Mrs. Kim Geon-hee impersonates the President... State Affairs Manipulation"

Pastor Choi Jaeyoung, who gave luxury bags and other items to First Lady Kim Geonhee, wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol, was investigated by the police for about seven hours on the 13th in connection with a case where he was accused of trespassing and defamation. Pastor Choi claimed, "The core of the case is state manipulation."

Pastor Choi Jaeyoung, who secretly filmed a video while handing a luxury bag to First Lady Kim Geonhee, is appearing at the Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul on the 13th for questioning. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

The Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul summoned Pastor Choi as a suspect and questioned him from 10 a.m. that day. It is reported that six complaints related to Pastor Choi have been filed at the Yeongdeungpo Police Station.

The police are said to have focused their investigation on the circumstances under which Pastor Choi entered First Lady Kim's office to secretly film a video and the intention behind releasing the footage.

Pastor Choi arrived at the Yeongdeungpo Police Station around 9:53 a.m. and finished the investigation around 4:47 p.m.

To reporters, Pastor Choi said, "Trespassing requires entering against the resident's will, but (I) made an appointment with First Lady Kim in advance, went at that time, and was even seen off," adding "What must not be forgotten in this case is the crime of impersonating the president by (First Lady) Kim."

Pastor Choi reportedly submitted evidence to the police that day, including communications about the date and place of meetings received from First Lady Kim's secretary, to prove that he entered the office with her consent.

He criticized the decision by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission to close the case regarding the suspicion of receiving luxury bags, saying, "Since I am a Korean-American, there are no sanction regulations," and added, "Foreigners refer to those conducting diplomacy at the level of heads of state," and "(The case closure) is very unreasonable and I think it should be reconsidered."

Earlier in the morning, Pastor Choi also said, "I clearly provided various gifts and attempted various solicitations," and "If there are charges I should receive and if I am to be punished, I will accept the punishment, and First Lady Kim should also be punished."

Earlier in February, civic groups such as the Free Press People's Union and the Seoul Christian Federation filed complaints against Pastor Choi for trespassing and other charges.

The police plan to summon Lee Myung-su, a reporter from Seoul Voice, who was also accused along with Pastor Choi, for questioning on the 14th.

Previously, the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office summoned Pastor Choi twice as a suspect last month on charges including violation of the Anti-Graft Act, trespassing, and obstruction of official duties by deception.

Pastor Choi is also scheduled to appear soon at the Seocho Police Station in Seoul to be investigated regarding a case in which he was accused of violating the Stalking Punishment Act.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.