Kim Geon-hee and the Controversy Surrounding Her Relationship with the Entrepreneur Behind 'Vacheron Watches'
The relationship between Kim Geon-hee and the entrepreneur Seo Seong-bin, known for 'robot dogs,' has expanded beyond a simple luxury watch transaction into a controversy regarding influence over national affairs.
The communication revealed during the special prosecutor's investigation has raised new suspicions regarding the potential involvement of civilians in national affairs.
According to the Korea Ilbo on the 17th, Seo reportedly conveyed his opinions to Kim Geon-hee during a phone call at the end of 2022, stating, "Our country should become a space power as well. We need organizations like a Space Agency or a Robot Agency."
Following this, it has been reported that Kim responded positively, saying, "That should be done."
Coincidentally, about a year after this conversation, in January 2023, the establishment of a Space Agency was officially decided.
Of course, the establishment of the Space Agency was part of former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s campaign promises and was a project pursued by both the ruling and opposition parties, making it unclear whether Seo's advice directly influenced the decision.
The special prosecutor's office plans to conduct a thorough investigation regarding this aspect.
Civilian Advice and National Affairs
According to Seo's claims, Kim regularly sought his opinions on various national issues.
He stated that in November 2022, when a photo he took while holding a patient at a hospital in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, sparked a 'poverty porn' controversy, Kim asked, "Does it really look like that?"
Additionally, he also discussed opinions regarding the whereabouts of former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min after the Itaewon disaster.
These claims suggest that Kim may have discussed national issues with a civilian outside the official government organization.
It has been reported that Kim attempted to end her relationship with Seo around December 2023.
Seo claims that Kim called him with 'caller ID restricted' and instructed him to "delete call records and phone numbers," stating that this was their last conversation.
Afterward, Seo reportedly deleted the contact information of Kim and former presidential secretary Yoo Kyung-ok.
Meanwhile, Seo is known to be the person who purchased and delivered a luxury 'Vacheron Constantin' watch to Kim.
During the purchasing process for the watch, which was worth 35 million won, Kim paid only 5 million won to him, stating that the remaining amount would be paid after her mother, Choi Eun-soon, was released, as understood by the special prosecutor’s office.
According to Seo, Kim reportedly said, “It should show that I bought the watch in my asset declaration, but buying it with the money in my account feels a bit off,” as stated in his testimony to the special prosecutor.
Image source: Kim Geon-hee / News1, Seo Seong-bin, former CEO of Drone Dom / CBS 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show', Kim Geon-hee appearing for substantive examination of arrest warrant / News1
