'Housekeeper Gate' Kim Ye-seong, Arrested Immediately After Returning from Vietnam
Kim Ye-seong, identified as a key figure in the 'Housekeeper Gate' scandal, was arrested immediately upon returning to South Korea from Vietnam on the 12th and was transported to the office of the Kim Kun-hee Special Investigation Team (led by Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki). The Special Investigation Team commenced an investigation right after the transport.
Kim departed from Vietnam on a flight from Ho Chi Minh City, which left at 9:15 AM (local time) and arrived at Incheon International Airport at 5:08 PM after staying in Vietnam for around four months following the ousting of former President Yoon Suk-yeol in April. The Special Investigation Team had obtained an arrest warrant on the 15th of last month and requested the invalidation of his passport and an Interpol red notice.
As Kim stepped off the aircraft, he was apprehended directly at the jet bridge and appeared before the press at 6:15 PM. Dressed in a black suit and a blue shirt, with handcuffs covered by a dark towel, he stated, "I have never been involved in any illegal or improper actions. I will cooperate sincerely with the investigation."
After his return and arrest, he entered the Special Investigation Team's office, asserting his innocence.
He avoided direct answers to questions regarding suspicions of fleeing the country or the correlation between his passport expiration and his return. He said, "I will cooperate as much as possible with the Special Investigation Team," while deflecting questions. He also refrained from commenting on whether he had been in contact with Mrs. Kim Kun-hee or if he had received any communication from the Special Investigation Team.
At 7:17 PM, Kim arrived at the Special Investigation Team office located in the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and while apologizing for causing concern to the public, he claimed, "I am innocent and upright. I will clarify all facts."
He mentioned the IMS Mobility company, in which he was involved, saying, "150 young people have dreams and are working hard. Please do not crush their dreams with this witch hunt."
The Special Investigation Team plans to detain Kim at the Namdaemun Police Station in Seoul after conducting a first round of questioning that evening.
Special Investigation Team is Investigating Investment Flow of 18.4 Billion Won and Mrs. Kim's Involvement
The 'Housekeeper Gate' refers to the case where IMS Mobility, which Kim was involved in establishing, received a total of 18.4 billion won in investments from nine major companies and financial institutions, including Kakao Mobility and HS Hyosung, through Oasis Equity Partners in June 2023. At the time, IMS Mobility was in a state of capital impairment, raising questions about the background of the substantial investments.
About 4.6 billion won of the investment was used for the acquisition of IMS Mobility shares held by InnoVest Korea, suspected to be a shell company controlled by Kim. The Special Investigation Team is focusing on the possibility that this money flowed to Mrs. Kim Kun-hee. The only director of that company is Kim's wife, Jung Mo.
However, Kim has denied all allegations, claiming that he severed ties with Mrs. Kim following her involvement in the 'bank balance certificate forgery case' linked to her mother, Choi Eun-soon, in 2018.
Image source: Kim Ye-seong / News1, News1
