Kim Geon-hee Summoned for Investigation... Opposition Calls It a "Summon Show," Ruling Party Says "Proceeding According to Procedure"

On the 21st, it was revealed that the prosecution conducted a private investigation into Mrs. Kim Geon-hee, who is suspected of receiving luxury handbags and manipulating the stock price of Deutsche Motors. Meanwhile, opposition parties including the Democratic Party dismissed it as a "summons show."

Kang Yoo-jung, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, said in a briefing that "the curtain has risen on the promise battle. Mrs. Kim alone smoothly avoided the prosecution photo line, which famous actors, ruling party leaders, and former presidents have stood at multiple times."

Spokesperson Kang added, "The second trial verdict for the co-conspirators in the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case is imminent, yet she had not been summoned for years. Now, just before the Judiciary Committee's impeachment petition hearing and witness summons, she staged a summons show at will," and questioned, "Does Mrs. Kim exist above the rule of law in the Republic of Korea?"

She continued, "All state institutions have become Mrs. Kim's problem solvers," and asked, "Should all administrative power be privatized to brand her as 'Kim Geon-hee's shield'?" She sharply criticized, "The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission took the lead in granting Mrs. Kim a pardon, and the police disguised bribery as stalking crime."

First Lady Kim Keon-hee Arrives in Hawaii with President Yoon Suk-yeol
(Honolulu=Yonhap News) Reporter Hong Hae-in = First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who visited Hawaii with President Yoon Suk-yeol, arrived at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, USA, on the 8th (local time). After disembarking from Air Force One, she is moving to meet welcoming officials including the Governor of Hawaii and his spouse. 2024.7.9
hihong@yna.co.kr
(End)


＜Copyright(c) Yonhap News Agency, Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, AI training and usage prohibited＞

Spokesperson Kang said, "The private summons investigation, which is more about evading responsibility than clarification, only amplifies public anger," and criticized, "There are no longer any citizens who believe the prosecution will conduct a fair investigation on a 'VVIP,' not just a 'VIP.'"

Park Eun-jung, a lawmaker from the Party for People's Innovation and Justice and a former prosecutor, pointed out on her SNS, "In the 2016 political scandal, former President Park Geun-hye was publicly summoned to the prosecution office for investigation," and added, "It seems that President Yoon Seok-youl's wife is a special class requiring more safety and security than the sitting president."

Park said, "I have worked at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office and have been investigated several times, and it is safe and secure," and regarding the prosecution's 12-hour investigation, she guessed, "The actual investigation probably lasted only a few hours." She then remarked, "It is laughable to think that Mrs. Kim Geon-hee was actually summoned and investigated by the prosecution," and criticized, "This investigation will be well used as a pardon for Mrs. Kim Geon-hee."

About ten days after Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok ordered a swift and thorough investigation into the allegations regarding First Lady Kim Geon-hee's expensive handbags, a high-ranking personnel reshuffle in the prosecution was carried out. There is speculation that a mid-level personnel reshuffle in the prosecution may take place as early as this week. The photo was taken on the 20th at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

On the other hand, the ruling party, the People Power Party, has not yet issued an official stance. However, within the party, there is a reaction that they were not informed in advance. A ruling party official said, "It seems to be proceeding according to the prosecution's procedures." The presidential office reportedly stated, "If necessary, Mrs. Kim Geon-hee's legal representatives will likely clarify the related position."

Meanwhile, on the same day, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office informed the press corps that regarding the reported cases of violation of the Anti-Graft Act and Deutsche Motors stock manipulation, Mrs. Kim Geon-hee was face-to-face investigated for about 12 hours from 1:30 p.m. on the 20th to 1:20 a.m. on the 21st at the government security building within their jurisdiction.

The case related to Mrs. Kim's receipt of luxury bags is being handled by the Criminal Division 1 (Chief Prosecutor Kim Seung-ho), and the case related to the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation suspicion is being handled by the Anti-Corruption Division 2 (Chief Prosecutor Choi Jae-hoon).

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