Kim Jin-woo, elder brother of South Korea’s former first lady Kim Keon-hee, underwent over seven hours of questioning on Sunday by the special counsel investigating financial misconduct involving the former presidential family.
The interrogation is part of an intensifying probe surrounding a luxury necklace scandal and irregularities in a controversial land development project.
Kim Jin-woo was summoned to the Min Joong-ki Special Counsel Office in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, where he remained until approximately 10:55 p.m. He exited the premises with his face partially covered, refusing to respond to press inquiries and offering no public comment on the serious allegations raised against him.
₩60 Million Van Cleef Necklace Raises Eyebrows
At the heart of the probe is a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace estimated to be worth ₩60 million (approx. $45,000 USD), worn by Kim Keon-hee during her appearance at the NATO Summit in June 2022. The necklace was later discovered at the home of Kim Jin-woo’s mother-in-law, raising suspicions of asset concealment.
Initially, the presidential office claimed the necklace was “borrowed from a friend.” However, Kim Jin-woo’s legal team argued the item was a replica, thereby exempt from asset disclosure requirements. Despite the explanation, the item was never listed in then-President Yoon Suk-yeol’s official property declaration, prompting further concerns over potential bribery and illegal concealment of luxury assets.
Land Development Scandal in Yangpyeong
Kim Jin-woo is also under investigation for suspected irregularities related to a land development project in the Gongheung District of Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi Province. Prosecutors are examining whether ESI&D, a firm co-founded by Kim Jin-woo and his mother Choi Eun-soon, illegally benefited from fee exemptions and maintained questionable ties with local officials.
The special counsel is also probing whether false documents were submitted to artificially reduce declared development costs—actions that could violate the Special Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes.
Public Silence Fuels Speculation
As Kim Jin-woo exited the special counsel office, journalists bombarded him with pointed questions:
- “Why was the necklace discovered at your mother-in-law’s home?”
- “Was the concealment of the necklace intentional?”
- “Did the former First Lady destroy any evidence?”
Kim Jin-woo offered no response, fueling speculation over the severity of the allegations. He left the building without official escort, intensifying public and media scrutiny.
Further Investigations Underway
The special counsel confirmed it will continue investigating both Kim Jin-woo and his mother Choi Eun-soon for alleged embezzlement, asset concealment, and collusion with public officials. Reports indicate that additional high-value luxury items have been recovered from the mother-in-law’s property, and several are undergoing forensic analysis.
These developments mark a significant turn in the investigation, signaling a broader crackdown on potential corruption involving the former presidential family. With public trust and institutional accountability on the line, the probe’s outcomes could have far-reaching implications for South Korea’s standards on transparency in political families.
Daum
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