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Special Counsel Summons Former First Lady for Questioning about ‘Bribery-for-Appointment’ Scandal

Written: 2025-11-06 18:02:42Updated: 2025-11-06 18:06:23

Special Counsel Summons Former First Lady for Questioning about ‘Bribery-for-Appointment’ Scandal

Photo : YONHAP News

South Korea’s special counsel team investigating alleged “bribery-for-appointment” deals has summoned former first lady Kim Keon-hee for questioning on November 24 at 10 a.m.

Kim, currently detained at the Seoul Southern Detention Center, is expected to face inquiries into luxury gifts, including a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace allegedly received from Seohee Construction chairman Lee Bong-gwan, who claimed he offered valuables in exchange for a government post for his son-in-law, a former prosecutor.

Investigators also plan to question Kim about whether she accepted gold ornaments from former education chief Lee Bae-yong in exchange for official appointments. 

Lee Bae-yong appeared for questioning earlier Thursday as a witness.

The team is additionally pursuing the arrest of a suspect, surnamed Lee, in the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation case. Prosecutors say Lee introduced Kim to controversial spiritual adviser Jeon Seong-bae, also known as Geon Jin.

Officials are considering issuing a public wanted notice after Lee fled during a raid last month.

In a separate case, the team said it will interrogate Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on Saturday about whether he partook in illegal campaign polling payments, even if witness Myung Tae-kyun fails to appear as scheduled.

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