Kim Geon-hee Special Investigation Team Summons Former SBS Announcer Kim Beom-soo
The Kim Geon-hee Special Investigation Team (led by Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki) has summoned former SBS announcer Kim Beom-soo as a witness regarding various allegations against Mrs. Kim Geon-hee.
On the 3rd, the investigation team announced that they are investigating the former Chairman of Deutsche Motors Kwon Oh-soo and former announcer Kim in relation to allegations of Mrs. Kim's involvement in the 'Deutsche Motors stock price manipulation' scheme.
This case involves Kwon, who, between December 2009 and December 2012, colluded with individuals known as 'stock manipulators' to raise the price of Deutsche Motors through abnormal transactions using 157 accounts under the names of 91 individuals.
Mrs. Kim is suspected of participating as a 'money supplier' in the stock price manipulation process initiated by Kwon.
Kim Beom-soo, who is being summoned as a witness, has a history of serving as an internal director at Kobana Contents, operated by Mrs. Kim, during the second phase of the Deutsche Motors stock price manipulation operation (from October 2010 to December 2012).
The special investigation team is reportedly looking into the possibility that Kim Beom-soo received information about the stock manipulation from Mrs. Kim at that time.
During the investigation, it has also been reported that the team has confirmed circumstances related to stock trading by Kim Beom-soo.
On that day, the investigation team also summoned Kwon to intensely question him regarding Mrs. Kim's involvement. Kwon has already received a suspended prison sentence for the Deutsche Motors stock price manipulation case in a court ruling.
Kwon and eight other accomplices in stock manipulation have been indicted, and the Supreme Court confirmed their convictions last April.
However, the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office issued a non-prosecution decision last October, stating that there was no basis for charges of conspiracy or aiding against Mrs. Kim.
After the Supreme Court confirmation of guilt for Kwon and others, Choi Kang-wook, a former lawmaker and the plaintiff in the case, filed an appeal to cancel the non-prosecution decision against Mrs. Kim and sought her indictment, leading to a decision for a re-investigation in April.
The investigative team of the Seoul High Prosecutor's Office has secured recordings that contain signs of Mrs. Kim's awareness of the stock manipulation during the re-investigation process.
Meanwhile, former announcer Kim Beom-soo joined TBS as a public announcer in 1995 and later moved to SBS as a public announcer in 2000, continuing his broadcasting activities. He left SBS after four years in 2004 and transitioned to being a freelancer.
Image source: Kim Beom-soo, former SBS announcer / Channel A 'Dad is a Flower Middle-Aged Man', Kim Geon-hee / News1
