The key points among the 16 cases are 'the preferential treatment for Yangpyeong land' and 'the involvement of unofficial channels'… The prosecution is likely to conduct further investigations due to insufficient initial inquiries.
The 'special prosecutor for Kim Geon-hee's national affairs manipulation and illegal election intervention', expected to launch as early as mid this month, is anticipated to focus its investigations on the preferential treatment allegations regarding the Yangpyeong Expressway route change and the presidential office's personnel intervention allegations.
While some of the 16 cases included in the special prosecutor's investigation have been partially investigated by the prosecution, allegations related to the Yangpyeong Expressway and unofficial channels remain in the preliminary stages of inquiry, making it likely that the special prosecutor will effectively become the primary investigative body.
The core of the Yangpyeong Expressway allegations revolves around the change of the original highway terminal planned for Yangseo-myeon to Gangseong-myeon, where the family of Kim Geon-hee owns land, shortly after the launch of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.
The original plan, which passed preliminary feasibility studies in 2021 during the Moon Jae-in administration, was altered to alternatives by new service companies just two months later in May 2022, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport officially announced the Gangseong-myeon terminal plan in May 2023. As the controversy over the ‘preferential treatment’ grew, then-Minister Won Hee-ryong declared a complete nullification of the project.
The Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Unit of the Southern Gyeonggi Police Agency launched a full-scale investigation into this case, conducting searches of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Yangpyeong County Office, and service companies on the 16th of last month. It has been reported that they are also considering a summons investigation of former Minister Won, who was the responsible minister at the time. The focus of the special prosecutor's investigation is likely to center on whether external pressure or private interests influenced the route change process.
Focusing on the 'Gyeongjin Beopsa-Myeongtaekgyun connection'… Comprehensive tracking of personnel intervention in the presidential office
The Kim Geon-hee special prosecutor is expected to concentrate its investigative efforts on the allegations of unofficial involvement within the presidential office. The core issue is whether the so-called unofficial power brokers, including Jeon Seong-bae from 'Gyeongjin Beopsa' and political broker Myeongtaekgyun, interfered in personnel and policy decision-making processes.
The key to the investigation will be whether there were actual requests for personnel appointments or external pressures involving Shin Mo, an administrative officer from the presidential office linked to Jeon, and the personnel lines across various ministries. If necessary, the investigation may expand to include personnel at the level of presidential secretaries or higher in the presidential office at that time.
In particular, during the early days of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, comments made by former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon regarding the 'seven figures in Hannam-dong' and references to a 'Kim Geon-hee line' could serve as clues for the special prosecutor's investigation.
In this regard, some political circles have speculated that "if the special prosecutor looks into the entirety of Kim's intervention in national affairs, the entire power chain within the presidential office could become a target for investigation."
Expanding investigations to include allegations against Samboo Construction and the relocation of the presidential residence… The possibility of charges against Kim Geon-hee is also being discussed.
The special prosecutor's investigation is expected to expand to cases that have seen slow progress in the prosecution, including stock manipulation allegations, involvement in candidate nominations, and intervention in the relocation of the presidential residence. In particular, allegations involving stock manipulation by Samboo Construction and Myeongtaekgyun's involvement in candidates' nominations and requests are expected to accelerate after the launch of the special prosecutor.
A lawyer experienced in public security investigations predicts, "The prosecution may first charge Kim with cases where some progress has been made, such as the candidate nomination interference, while continuing investigations into the remaining cases."
In March, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport released results of an internal audit regarding the mismanagement of feasibility studies for the Yangpyeong Expressway, imposing disciplinary actions and warnings on seven responsible officials. However, political circles and civic groups have insisted that these measures are insufficient, urging for a thorough investigation through a special prosecutor.
