Kim Keon-hee Denies Charges in First Special Prosecutor Appearance, Undergoes 7-Hour Interrogation... Further Summons Expected

Kim Keon-hee, spouse of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, appears as a suspect at the office of Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki at the KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 6th. Yonhap News. 

Kim Keon-hee, spouse of President Yoon Suk-yeol, appeared as a suspect before Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki's team, which is investigating various allegations against her, and underwent an in-person interrogation lasting approximately 7 hours. It is reported that Kim denied the core charges.

Given her denial of the main charges and the extensive scope of the allegations under investigation, the special prosecutor's team is expected to summon Kim again in the near future.

Kim arrived at the KT Gwanghwamun Building West, where the special prosecutor's office is located in Jongno-gu, at approximately 10:11 AM on the 6th. She alighted from her vehicle and walked about 30 meters to the building's entrance.

Standing before the press photo line set up on the second floor, she stated, "I sincerely apologize to the public for causing concern to someone like me, who is nobody. I will undergo the investigation thoroughly and emerge." She then proceeded to the interrogation room.

The interrogation, which began at approximately 10:23 AM, concluded at 5:46 PM, lasting 7 hours and 23 minutes. She took breaks for a total of 50 minutes: one 10-minute break in the morning and three breaks totaling 50 minutes in the afternoon.

During the lunch break, which lasted from 11:59 AM to 1:00 PM, Kim ate a pre-prepared bento box.

For the interrogation, the special prosecutor's team included a prosecutor of deputy chief prosecutor rank and a stenographer. Representing Kim were lawyers Yoo Jeong-hwa, Chae Myeong-seong, and Choi Ji-woo. There was no separate 'tea time' between Kim and Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki.

During the interrogation, the investigation team addressed Kim as 'suspect.' Furthermore, Kim received the same treatment as a typical suspect.

It is reported that she did not exercise her right to remain silent and rather actively denied the charges.

After the afternoon session concluded, she had a light snack and then proceeded to review the suspect interrogation records documenting the proceedings.

While some speculated that a late-night interrogation could take place after 9:00 PM, it appears to have been canceled due to Kim's refusal. A late-night interrogation requires the consent of the individual involved.

On this day, the special prosecutor's team reportedly questioned Kim in the following order: allegations of stock manipulation in Deutsch Motors, allegations of interference in nomination for the Myongtae Gyun case, and allegations of influence peddling related to Geunjinbeopsa.

The special prosecutor bill for Kim Keon-hee specifically lists 16 alleged offenses surrounding her as subjects of investigation.

The special prosecutor's team is expected to summon Kim again to investigate other cases, such as allegations of stock manipulation in Sambu Engineering & Construction and allegations of preferential treatment in the Yangpyeong expressway project.

There are also predictions that if Kim denies all charges, an arrest warrant could be immediately sought.

Yonhap News