Kim Gunhee Special Counsel Raids Seven Locations Including Acrovista... Lee Baeyong Appears Over 'Gold Turtle Bribery' Allegations

Special Prosecutor Investigates Presidential Residence Relocation Allegations at Yoon Couple's Home
Kim Gunhee's Side: "Unjust Pressure Ahead of Bail Hearing"
'Gold Turtle' Lee Baeyong Appears Before Special Prosecutor, Remains Silent

On November 6, the special prosecutor team led by Min Junggi, which is investigating various allegations surrounding First Lady Kim Gunhee, launched a compulsory investigation to clarify suspicions of preferential treatment in the relocation of the presidential residence. Kim's side immediately protested, stating, "This is an unjust form of pressure ahead of the bail hearing."

Special Prosecutor for Kim Gunhee Attempts Search and Seizure at Acrovista in Seocho District. Yonhap News

The special prosecutor's team announced that, on the morning of November 6, they were conducting search and seizure operations at seven locations, including Acrovista, the former residence of former President Yoon Sukyeol and his wife, as well as the office of 21gram and other related offices and residences. The search targets also included the office of Covana Contents, located in the underground shopping arcade of Acrovista.

The suspicion of preferential treatment regarding the relocation of the presidential residence centers on the claim that the interior design company 21gram received special favors by being awarded no-bid contracts for the relocation and expansion of the presidential office and residence after Yoon Sukyeol took office. 21gram is a company that sponsored exhibitions organized by Covana Contents, which was operated by Kim Gunhee, and was also responsible for the design and construction of the Covana Contents office. Allegations have arisen that the company secured the contract for the expansion of the presidential residence based on its personal relationship with Kim Gunhee.

Kim Gunhee's legal representatives immediately issued a statement, protesting, "Given that search and seizure operations and the collection of materials have already been conducted multiple times, we have serious doubts as to whether these repeated searches comply with the principles of proportionality and appropriateness in the investigation."

They further stated, "If, in particular, the justification for this latest action is once again the risk of 'evidence destruction' in a separate case just before the bail hearing, it could be seen as unjust pressure on the judicial process. We hope that this measure will not be perceived as unnecessary pressure or an attempt to sway public opinion during the trial proceedings."

'Geumgeobugi Bribery' Lee Baeyong Appears at the Special Prosecutor's Office for the First Time

Additionally, on November 6, the special prosecutor's team summoned Lee Baeyong, former National Education Committee Chairman, for questioning in connection with the so-called 'Geumgeobugi bribery allegations.' This marks the first time Lee Baeyong has appeared before the special prosecutor's team investigating the alleged bribery involving Kim Gunhee.

Lee Baeyong, former National Education Committee Chairman, appearing at the special prosecutor's office in a wheelchair. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Arriving in a wheelchair at approximately 9:31 a.m., Lee Baeyong entered the investigation room without responding to reporters' questions such as "Why did you give the gold turtle?" and "Was it a gift intended to secure a public office appointment?"

The special prosecutor's team suspects that Kim Gunhee exerted influence over the process by which Lee Baeyong was appointed as National Education Committee Chairman after receiving gifts. Previously, a gold turtle, believed to have been given by Lee Baeyong along with a request for a personnel appointment, was discovered in a safe owned by Kim Gunhee's younger sibling inside a nursing home operated by Kim's mother, Choi Eunsun.

During the investigation, the special prosecutor's team is expected to focus on questioning Lee Baeyong about the allegations that she gave a gold turtle and other gifts to Kim Gunhee's side in exchange for requesting an appointment. Currently, Lee Baeyong is being questioned as a reference witness, but if it is revealed during the investigation that the gifts were given as a quid pro quo, her status could be changed to that of a suspect.

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