Special Prosecutor Summons Kim Gunhee Over "Sale of Public Offices"... Vows Swift Arrest of Fugitive Deutsch Motors Operator

Questioning Expected Over Receipt of Seohee Construction Necklace
Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon to Be Summoned for Investigation on the 8th

The special prosecutor's team led by Min Jungki, which is investigating various allegations involving Mrs. Kim Gunhee, has decided to question Mrs. Kim on the so-called "sale of public offices" allegations on the 24th.

The first trial of Mrs. Kim Gunhee, who was arrested and indicted on charges of stock manipulation related to Deutsch Motors and allegations of receiving money from the Unification Church, was held on the afternoon of the 24th. Mrs. Kim is entering the courtroom and waiting for the trial. September 24, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps

On the 6th, Deputy Special Prosecutor Kim Hyeonggeun announced during a regular briefing, "In connection with the allegations that Mrs. Kim received a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace from Seohee Construction, we have notified her through the detention center to appear at the special prosecutor's office for questioning on Monday morning, November 24." If Mrs. Kim complies with the summons, this will be her first face-to-face questioning in two months since September 25.

The special prosecutor's team plans to investigate how Mrs. Kim allegedly received so-called "NATO necklaces" and other jewelry from Seohee Construction during this round of questioning.

Lee Bonggwan, Chairman of Seohee Construction, previously submitted a written confession stating that in March 2022, he gave Mrs. Kim a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace and other high-end jewelry, while attorney Park Seonggeun, a former prosecutor, requested a public office appointment. Park was actually appointed as Chief Secretary to then-Prime Minister Han Ducksoo about three months after the necklace was delivered.

In addition, the special prosecutor's team plans to pursue the so-called "golden turtle sale of public offices allegations" connected to former National Education Commission Chairperson Lee Baeyong.

The special prosecutor's team is also focusing on securing the custody of Mr. Lee, the main operator in the Deutsch Motors stock manipulation case. Mr. Lee is known to have introduced Jeonseongbae, a Buddhist monk, to Mrs. Kim, and was identified as the main operator during the "first phase" of the 2010 Deutsch Motors stock manipulation.

Last month, the special prosecutor's team attempted to search and seize Mr. Lee, but he fled, and they failed to secure his custody. Deputy Special Prosecutor Kim stated, "We are exploring various ways to secure the suspect," adding, "We consider securing the suspect to be the highest priority and will move quickly to apprehend him."

Additionally, regarding the "alleged payment of public opinion poll expenses by a third party," the special prosecutor's team plans to question Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon on the 8th. Deputy Special Prosecutor Kim stated, "Regardless of whether a face-to-face confrontation takes place between political broker Myung Taegyun and Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon, we will proceed with the investigation of Mayor Oh."

Mr. Myung posted on social media the previous day that he would not appear before the special prosecutor's team on the 8th, but the team has not yet received a written explanation for his absence from Mr. Myung's side.

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