**Prospects for Accelerated Prosecutorial Investigation Following Passage of Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecution Law**
Observations suggest that the prosecution's summoning of Kim Geon-hee is imminent due to the 'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecution Law' passed by the National Assembly shortly after President Lee Jae-myung's inauguration. The special prosecution law, which had repeatedly faced obstacles during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration due to veto requests, has finally been passed, and it is expected to boost the momentum of the investigation.
According to the legal community on the 6th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office's dedicated investigation team led by Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Ji-hyung is coordinating schedules while maintaining the stance that a face-to-face investigation of Kim Geon-hee is necessary.
The prosecution notified Kim Geon-hee's side of the need to appear at the prosecution office last month after summoning both Myung Tae-kyun and former People Power Party member Kim Young-sun simultaneously at the end of April. However, on the 14th of last month, Kim Geon-hee's side expressed their intention not to appear, citing "concerns that it could affect the election" and stating that it would violate political neutrality.
**Three Directions of the Kim Geon-hee Investigation**
The prosecution's investigation into Kim Geon-hee is largely proceeding along three tracks.
First, there are allegations of political broker Myung Tae-kyun's involvement in candidate nominations. Kim Geon-hee is suspected of having received public opinion polling services for free from Myung and exerting influence to ensure that former People Power Party member Kim Young-sun gets nominated in the Changwon Congressional District during the 2022 presidential election. Additional allegations suggest involvement in candidate nominations for the mayorships of Pohang and Pyeongtaek during local elections.
Second, there are suspicions of illicit lobbying involving Jeon Seong-bae, known as 'Geonjin Beopsa.'
The Seoul Southern District Prosecutor's Office’s joint investigation team on virtual asset crimes, led by Chief Prosecutor Park Geon-wook, is investigating Jeon Seong-bae's case involving the solicitation for luxury handbags.
Third, there is a re-investigation into the Deutsche Motors stock price manipulation case.
The Criminal Division of the Seoul High Prosecutor's Office, led by Chief Prosecutor Cha Soon-gil, has recently called in Kim (the main player in the stock manipulation) and Min (a former executive of the investment advisory firm Black Pearl Invest) for questioning regarding their activities during the stock manipulation period last month.
**Possibility of Compulsory Investigation Being Raised**
The investigation team, which received the case from the Changwon District Prosecutor's Office in February, maintains that Kim Geon-hee must appear at the prosecution office for a face-to-face investigation.
If Kim Geon-hee's summoning does not proceed smoothly, there are discussions about the potential for compulsory investigations. Generally, if an individual fails to respond after three summons notifications, the investigative authorities may proceed with compulsory measures such as arrest warrants.
Considering the circumstances that make it difficult to summon a former first lady multiple times, it is likely that other investigations will also be conducted when she appears before the prosecution.
The Central District Prosecutor's Office's Public Investigation Division 2 is reportedly investigating the 'excessive jewelry asset declaration omission allegation,' which is also a main area of focus.
The Seoul High Prosecutor's Office, which is re-investigating the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation allegations, is said to have identified communication systems during the '7-second trade' and the processes behind sell orders placed through Kim Geon-hee's accounts.
Last July, the Central District Prosecutor's investigation team had questioned Kim Geon-hee at the presidential security agency's annex office before concluding there was no wrongdoing.
With the passage of the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecution Law, which investigates 16 allegations including the Deutsche Motors case, the investigation into Kim Geon-hee is expected to gain momentum.
The prosecution plans to continue its scheduled investigation until a request for the transfer of the case is made after the special prosecutor is appointed.
Image source: Kim Geon-hee, wife of former President Yoon Seok-youl, is standing in line to vote at the third polling place in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on June 3. (Co-reporting) 2025.6.3/News1, On the afternoon of June 5, the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecution Law (regarding the identification of state affairs involving Kim Geon-hee, Myung Tae-kyun, Geonjin Beopsa, and illegal election interference) was passed during a National Assembly session in Yeouido, Seoul. 2025.6.5/News1, Former President Yoon Seok-youl and Kim Geon-hee were seen casting their votes at the third polling place in Seocho 4-dong, Seoul, on the morning of the presidential election day, June 3. (Co-reporting) 2025.6.3/News1, News1
