Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Conducts Search and Seizure at the Presidential Archives
The special prosecutor team investigating various allegations related to Kim Geon-hee has conducted a surprise search and seizure operation at the Presidential Archives and other locations.
During a regular briefing on the afternoon of the 14th, Special Prosecutor Jeong-hee Oh, part of the Kim Geon-hee special prosecutor team (led by Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki), announced that they are currently conducting search and seizure operations at over ten locations, including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and two service companies, to collect evidence related to the creation of false official documents regarding the change in the Seoul-Yangpyeong expressway route and the licensing issues in the Yangpyeong Gongheung district.
This morning, investigators were dispatched to the Presidential Archives under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety in Sejong City to secure related materials.
This search and seizure is reported to be part of the evidence collection regarding various allegations surrounding Kim Geon-hee.
Expansion of Investigation into Favoritism Allegations Regarding the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway Route Change
On the same day, the special prosecutor team also expanded their investigation into the favoritism allegations related to the change in the Seoul-Yangpyeong expressway route.
Search and seizures were conducted simultaneously at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the firms responsible for the feasibility study of the Yangpyeong expressway at that time.
However, former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong and Kim Seon-kyo, a member of the National Assembly who formerly served as the mayor of Yangpyeong County, were not included in the target of this search and seizure.
The Seoul-Yangpyeong expressway was originally planned to end in Yangseo-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, and passed the preliminary feasibility study in 2021. However, in 2023, the Ministry of Land changed the endpoint to Gangjang-myeon, where Kim Geon-hee's family land is located, raising allegations of favoritism.
Concerns arose that this route change may have affected the increase in real estate value for Kim Geon-hee's family, leading to controversies over fairness.
At that time, former Minister Won Hee-ryong strongly denied any wrongdoing in July 2023, stating, "If I had even the slightest awareness that Mrs. Kim's land was there before this incident arose, I would not only stake my ministerial position but also my political life," and declared a full retraction of the project.
In July of the same year, civic groups reported Kim Seon-kyo and former Minister Won Hee-ryong for abuse of power, and the case was initially handled by the Southern Gyeonggi Police Agency before being transferred to the special prosecutor's office.
Currently, the special prosecutor team has placed a travel ban on former Minister Won, Kim Geon-hee's mother Choi Eun-soon, her brother Kim Mo, Member of the National Assembly Kim Seon-kyo, and three high-ranking officials in Yangpyeong County.
Image source: Material photo for understanding the article / Photo = Insight, News1, Former President Yoon Seok-yeol and spouse / News1
