The police will reinvestigate the 'clothing cost allegations' against Kim Jung-sook, the former First Lady, which they had previously dismissed.

According to Yonhap News Agency's comprehensive reporting on the 3rd, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office requested the police on the 28th of last month to reinvestigate the case concerning Mrs. Kim's alleged embezzlement of state funds under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes.

The prosecution stated, "After reviewing the case records, we determined that reinvestigation is necessary and requested the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to conduct it."

It has been reported that the explanation regarding the nature of the funds used to pay for Mrs. Kim's clothing, if they were not special activity funds, was insufficient.

Previously, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency confirmed that Mrs. Kim used "Gwanbongkwon" (sealed banknotes) to pay for the clothing but dismissed the case in July, citing a lack of evidence to classify it as special activity funds.

At the time, the police explained that they had investigated the origin of the Gwanbongkwon with entities like the Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Operating Corp. but were unable to trace its distribution channels.

Regarding the prosecution's request for reinvestigation, Park Jeong-bo, the Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated at a press briefing on the same day that "it is not simple to determine whether it can be considered (special activity funds) or not."

The case, which has been returned, is being handled again by the Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit that had initially concluded no wrongdoing. A police official said, "We will reinvestigate and notify the results within a month."

Mrs. Kim was accused of using special activity funds to purchase clothing during former President Moon Jae-in's term in office and was reported to the civil group "Association for the Improvement of the Lives of Ordinary People" in March 2022.

At the time, the Blue House clarified, "As the spouse of the President, state funds, including special activity funds, were never allocated or used for the purpose of purchasing clothing," and added, "the expenses were borne from personal funds."

Under the Criminal Procedure Act, even if the police conclude there is no wrongdoing, they must forward the case to the prosecution if the accuser files an objection.

The prosecution can request the police to reinvestigate if a non-prosecution decision is illegal or unreasonable.

Yonhap News