Investigation into Presidential Residence Relocation
On the 6th, a special counsel team led by Min Joong-ki conducted a raid on several locations linked to former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife, Acro Vista. The search included the Seoul Seocho-gu residence of the former president, the office of Cobana Contents operated by Kim Keon-hee (the former first lady), and the headquarters of 21 Gram, the interior company responsible for renovations at the Hannam-dong presidential residence. This was the fourth time the former president’s residence had been searched.
The raids were part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of “favoritism in the presidential residence relocation.” The special counsel identified potential violations of the Improper Solicitations Act and sought evidence of such violations. Although the search warrant did not include former President Yoon, it listed Kim Keon-hee as a reference person suspected of receiving “high-value gifts.” During the raid, the team focused on seizing items believed to have been gifted by 21 Gram, including Dior bracelets, clothing, and bags. Last month, the Dior Korea headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul, was also raided.
Allegations of Favoritism and Luxury Gifts
The suspicion of favoritism emerged after 21 Gram, represented by Kim (a close associate of Kim Keon-hee), was awarded the 2022 presidential residence relocation contract. Kim had previously sponsored an exhibition hosted by Cobana Contents, and her wife accompanied Kim Keon-hee and former presidential office administrator Yoo Kyung-ok during an exchange of a Chanel bag received from Jeon Seong-bae, a shaman known as Geonjin, for another model. The special counsel suspects that this connection may have influenced the contract award and that luxury gifts were provided in return.
Kim’s lawyer, Choi Ji-woo, responded to the raids, stating, “We are aware that no gifts were received from 21 Gram,” and criticized the investigations, calling the fourth raid on the same location “an excessive investigation without precedent.”
Additional Investigations into Stock Manipulation
In addition to the presidential residence-related inquiries, the special counsel announced on the same day that Lee Mo, a suspect in the Deutsch Motors stock manipulation case, is currently fleeing. Lee is known to have introduced a key figure to Kim Keon-hee and is considered one of the main perpetrators in the stock manipulation case. The special counsel has recently obtained text messages exchanged between Lee and Kim Keon-hee in the past and is investigating their contents.
Key Points of the Investigation
- The special counsel team raided multiple locations linked to former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife.
- The focus of the investigation was on allegations of favoritism in the presidential residence relocation.
- Kim Keon-hee was listed as a reference person suspected of receiving high-value gifts.
- The raids targeted items believed to have been gifted by 21 Gram, including Dior products.
- Kim’s lawyer denied any receipt of gifts from 21 Gram and criticized the investigation.
- Lee Mo, a suspect in the Deutsch Motors stock manipulation case, is currently fleeing.
- Text messages between Lee and Kim Keon-hee are being investigated as part of the case.