Kim Geon-hee, Failing to Respond to Special Investigation Due to Health Deterioration… Severe Eating Disorder
Kim Geon-hee, who is under investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) while in custody, has stated that she will not attend the scheduled fourth summons on the 20th due to health reasons.
Kim submitted a handwritten note to the SIT explaining her absence, indicating that her eating disorder has worsened since her detention, and she is reportedly unable to consume food almost at all.
Considering Kim's reasons for absence, the SIT postponed the summons by one day, rescheduling it for Thursday.
Kim's side has conveyed that since there is a medical examination scheduled at the detention center on Thursday, she will respond to the SIT's investigation in the afternoon.
Although Kim Geon-hee has consistently responded to the SIT's summons requests while in custody, it has been understood that she submitted a notice of absence through the Nambu Detention Center this time due to her poor health condition, stating that it would be difficult to undergo another investigation after just two days.
The notice is said to be about one page long and written by Kim herself.
Kim Geon-hee’s Legal Team: "Severe Insomnia, Panic Disorder, Eating Disorder"
Kim's legal team stated, "Kim is suffering from insomnia, panic disorder, and an eating disorder," and explained that "she has hardly been able to take proper meals since the warrant review." They particularly emphasized her serious health status, stating that during the previous SIT investigation, "the only thing she was able to eat was a little bit of snacks found in the examination room."
The SIT has completed questioning regarding the allegations of political broker Nam Tae-kyun related to nominations and election interference through two investigations since Kim was detained, and is now focused on gathering evidence concerning the allegations of stock manipulation related to Deutsche Motors.
During the investigation scheduled for Thursday, the SIT is expected to inquire about the alleged bribery involving former fortune teller Jeon Seong-bae following the Deutsche Motors case.
Meanwhile, the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office, which investigated the allegations of Kim Geon-hee's false background, indicated that the statute of limitations for the charges of obstruction of business has expired, and it decided not to indict the habitual fraud charges on the grounds that the false background listed did not appear to have influenced her hiring.
These allegations involve Kim reportedly having fabricated her resume to obtain positions at Suwon Women's University and Kookmin University from 2001 to 2014.
The case was transferred to the SIT at the end of June; however, about a month later, the SIT returned it to the prosecution, citing that it did not fall under the scope of investigation defined by the Special Investigation Act.
Image source: Kim Geon-hee / News1, News1
