Yoon Unresponsive to Kim Keonhee Special Prosecutor...First Summons Attempt Fails

Special Prosecutor Team Issues New Summons for 10 a.m. Tomorrow
Investigating Allegations of 'Myung Taegyun Nomination Involvement'
Considering Compulsory Attendance if Yoon Refuses to Appear Again
First Lady Kim Keonhee to Be Summoned on August 6

The special prosecutor team led by Min Jungki, which is investigating allegations related to Kim Keonhee, attempted its first summons investigation of former President Yoon Sukyeol on July 29, 2025. However, former President Yoon ultimately did not appear. Since his re-arrest, Yoon has consistently cited health problems as he maintains a strategy of endurance. As of this day, it was confirmed that he had not even submitted a letter of attorney appointment to the special prosecutor team.

The special prosecutor team announced to the press, "We notified former President Yoon to appear at 10 a.m. today, but he did not appear without any particular explanation. We have sent another request for cooperation to the head of Seoul Detention Center, asking that former President Yoon appear at 10 a.m. tomorrow."

The main subject of the investigation is the allegation that political broker Myung Taegyun was promised a party nomination in exchange for conducting opinion polls. Former President Yoon is suspected of having received free opinion polls from Myung during the 2022 presidential election, and of being involved in ensuring that former lawmaker Kim Youngsun was nominated in the National Assembly by-election held in June of the same year.

It has been determined that a total of 81 free opinion polls were provided. In order to determine whether Yoon influenced the party's nomination process, the special prosecutor team has been conducting consecutive investigations of Yoon Sanghyun, a member of the People Power Party, former lawmaker Kim, and Lee Joonseok, leader of the Reform New Party. It is known that during the special prosecutor's investigation on July 27, Yoon Sanghyun stated that he had spoken with former President Yoon regarding the nomination of Kim Youngsun.

Yoon Remains Silent Ahead of Kim Keonhee Investigation...Maintains 'Endurance Strategy'

On the day of the summons, former President Yoon had not submitted either a letter of attorney appointment or a statement regarding his non-appearance to the special prosecutor team as of that morning. Although appointing an attorney is not strictly required at this stage of the investigation, legal experts interpret the failure to submit such documents as a clear signal to the special prosecutor team that he does not intend to cooperate with the investigation.

Former President Yoon claims that he is unable to participate in the investigation due to worsening diabetes and elevated liver values, making it difficult for him to move. Since his re-arrest on July 10, he has refused to cooperate with both the rebellion special prosecutor team's investigation and the criminal trial on charges of leading a rebellion and abuse of authority. However, he did appear in person for the detention review, which determined whether he would remain in custody.

Some speculated that former President Yoon might respond to the summons in order to directly grasp the progress of the separate special prosecutor investigation targeting Kim Keonhee. However, he continues to pursue a strategy of complete non-appearance. If Yoon continues to refuse to appear for questioning, the special prosecutor team is expected to consider follow-up measures such as compulsory attendance.

However, since the rebellion special prosecutor team, which already has custody of Yoon, also failed in its attempt to forcibly bring him in for questioning, it appears unlikely that the Kim Keonhee special prosecutor team will be able to have Yoon sit for an investigation.

All-Out Investigation Into Each Allegation Ahead of 'Kim Keonhee Summons'

Amid these circumstances, the special prosecutor team is accelerating its investigation into Kim Keonhee ahead of her scheduled summons on August 6. The investigation into the alleged stock price manipulation by Sambu Construction is nearing completion, while the so-called 'Myung Taegyun Gate' allegations are being reinforced as related individuals are repeatedly summoned. Regarding the 'Butler Gate' allegations, after Kim Yesung, known as Kim Keonhee's butler, fled to Vietnam and became uncooperative with the investigation, the team is now investigating companies that invested in IMS Mobility, which Kim Yesung helped establish, to determine whether there were any 'transactional investments' involving corporate issues behind the investments.

The 'Geonjinbeopsa Gate' is another allegation into which the special prosecutor team is focusing its efforts. It is suspected that a Unification Church official tried to deliver an expensive necklace and luxury bag to Kim Keonhee as compensation for resolving church issues through Jeon Seongbae, known as Geonjinbeopsa, who is said to have a close relationship with Kim Keonhee. In relation to this, the special prosecutor team has analyzed confiscated materials after searching former President Yoon's private residence.

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