[비즈한국] Former President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared before the independent counsel team (Kim Keon Hee Special Counsel) led by Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki on the morning of the 20th as a suspect. This marks the first in-person interrogation of former President Yoon since the special counsel was launched last July. With only one week remaining before the investigation period expires, the special counsel team is accelerating the final stages of the probe by summoning the former president.
The interrogation of former President Yoon reportedly began at 10:00 a.m. that day and concluded around 11:56 a.m., lasting approximately two hours. This in-person interrogation was the first to take place after a previous attempt by the special counsel to bring him in via an arrest warrant failed. Given the remaining week of the investigation period, it is widely observed that this will effectively be the final interrogation.
It is known that a total of six criminal charges have been applied to the former president. The special counsel views former President Yoon as an accomplice to First Lady Kim Keon Hee regarding charges of violating the Political Funds Act and bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes.
There are suspicions that First Lady Kim received public opinion poll results worth 270 million won from Myung Tae-kyun free of charge and was involved in receiving a painting by artist Lee U-fan, worth 140 million won, from former chief prosecutor Kim Sang-min.
Intervention in personnel appointments and solicitation for favors is also a key target of the investigation. The special counsel suspects that former President Yoon was involved in the process where First Lady Kim allegedly received money and valuables in exchange for favors from individuals such as Seohee Construction Chairman Lee Bong-kwan035890, former National Education Committee Chairperson Lee Bae-yong, and a businessman surnamed Seo. Additionally, the scope of the investigation includes allegations that false information was publicized regarding the First Lady during a public debate while he was a presidential candidate in late 2021.
Former President Yoon's side reportedly denied the charges. Regarding inquiries from reporters about whether the former president was aware of the First Lady accepting jewelry, his legal counsel stated, "He was completely unaware." Regarding allegations of his involvement in the appointment process of former Chairperson Lee Bae-yong, it was reported that he stated, "There was no consultation. We never heard of anything like solicitation."
The investigation deadline for the Kim Keon Hee Special Counsel team is the 28th. The special counsel team plans to decide on whether to indict before the investigation period expires.