[비즈한국] Amid reports that the Kim Keon-hee special prosecutor team (led by Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki) has secured evidence of organized intervention by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport regarding the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway route change allegations, it has also launched a full-scale investigation into the alleged favored treatment in the Yangpyeong Gongheung district development project. On July 25, the special prosecutor team conducted searches and seizures at the office of incumbent lawmaker Kim Seon-kyo (People Power Party) and the residences of First Lady Kim Keon-hee’s family.
On the 25th, the special prosecutor team announced, "We have commenced searches and seizures at the residences and offices of Rep. Kim Seon-kyo, and the mother and older brother of First Lady Kim Keon-hee in relation to the Yangpyeong Gongheung district development case." Following the probe into the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway terminal change allegations, the team has now begun a full-scale investigation into the Gongheung district development controversy.
On the 14th, the special prosecutor team conducted searches and seizures at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and service providers related to the Yangpyeong Expressway case, and summoned key figures for questioning. The Yangpyeong Expressway controversy, raised in June 2023, alleges that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport changed the terminal route to the vicinity of Byeongsan-ri, Yangpyeong-gun, where the family of First Lady Kim Keon-hee owns land.
The Gongheung district development allegations, which the special prosecutor team has now begun investigating, concern suspicions that Yangpyeong-gun granted favored treatment to ESI&D, a family-owned company of First Lady Kim Keon-hee, during the licensing process for an apartment development project that began in 2012. Rep. Kim Seon-kyo, who was the mayor of Yangpyeong-gun at the time, is also included in the investigation.
Rep. Kim Seon-kyo, who has emerged as a key figure in this investigation, appears in both the Yangpyeong Gongheung district favored treatment allegations and the Yangpyeong Expressway route change controversy. In August 2022, during a plenary session of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, Rep. Kim demanded that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport "build a new IC (interchange) so that Yangpyeong residents can use the road. Please review it actively."
However, it has been confirmed that the special prosecutor's search and seizure of Rep. Kim Seon-kyo's National Assembly office on the 25th was related to the Gongheung district development project allegations, not the Yangpyeong Expressway.
Rep. Kim Seon-kyo served as the mayor of Yangpyeong-gun from 2007 to 2018. It is known that he has maintained ties with former President Yoon Suk Yeol since Yoon was appointed as the head of the Yeoju Branch of the Prosecutors' Office in 2013.
In fact, a video was released in March 2022 during the opening ceremony of Rep. Kim Seon-kyo’s campaign office for the Yangpyeong County Mayor primary, where he stated, "We have a past connection, and a connection from when he was branch head, and I know very well that Kim Seon-kyo suffered because of his mother-in-law." He added, "When we are alone, he says, 'Hey, lawmaker Kim'—since we were both born in 1960—'Hey, I feel sorry whenever I see you, lawmaker Kim.' Why? You know, right? For granting those permits so easily. Since he’s running for president, the Democratic Party is shaking things up by making nonexistent things seem real."
A political insider hinted, "I believe the special prosecutor team's search and seizure of Rep. Kim Seon-kyo carries significant implications. How the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway route was changed will likely be revealed soon."