The Suspicion of Kim Geon-hee's Necklace Expands with the Search of Seohi Construction
The special prosecutor's investigation into the "Kim Geon-hee National Affairs Scandal" has officially launched into the investigation of the luxury necklace allegations by conducting a search on Seohi Construction the day before Kim Geon-hee's detention hearing (November 11).
On November 11, investigators from the special prosecutor's office carried out a surprise search of Seohi Construction's headquarters. This search is reported to be aimed at securing documents related to the purchase of Kim Geon-hee's 'Van Cleef & Arpels necklace.'
The special prosecutor's team is said to have identified evidence suggesting that an official from Seohi Construction purchased a 'Van Cleef & Arpels' necklace of the same design that Kim Geon-hee wore during her NATO visit in June 2022, leading to the execution of this search warrant.
A Deep Connection Between Seohi Construction and Former President Yoon Suk-yeol
The relationship between Seohi Construction and former President Yoon Suk-yeol cannot easily be dismissed as mere coincidence, with several connections linking them.
The eldest son-in-law of Seohi Construction's Chairman Lee Bong-kwan, Park Seong-keun, former head of the Prime Minister's Office, is a former prosecutor, classified as part of the so-called 'Yoon Suk-yeol line.'
After Yoon's election, he joined the transition committee and was later appointed as the Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo upon recommendation from Yoon's camp.
Additionally, the Seohi Construction headquarters, which was the target of the search, was previously a location for a non-official campaign headquarters during Yoon's presidential candidacy, raising controversy. Such circumstances seem to have influenced the direction of the special prosecutor’s investigation.
Core of the Kim Geon-hee Van Cleef Necklace Allegation
The special prosecutor is particularly focused on the timing of when an official from Seohi Construction purchased the necklace at a department store in Jamsil, Seoul, shortly after Yoon was elected in the 20th presidential election.
They suspect the possibility that this necklace may have been handed over to Kim Geon-hee, and are currently investigating whether Seohi Construction purchased the Van Cleef necklace as a bribe for her.
Previously, Kim Geon-hee's side claimed that the necklace she wore during her visit was a fake. However, the investigation team is suspicious of the truthfulness of this statement, citing that the product was released in 2015, later than when Kim Geon-hee reportedly stated she purchased a replica.
Future Direction of the Investigation
The special prosecutor is expected to call in officials from Seohi Construction soon to investigate the circumstances surrounding the purchase of the necklace.
They are likely to examine the process of buying and delivering the necklace and whether it involved any quid pro quo agreements, specifically whether the necklace was given in exchange for a request for favor from Seohi Construction.
This investigation may expand beyond simple allegations of luxury necklaces into broader inquiries regarding collusion between politics and business and the possibility of power-related corruption, leading to heightened attention on the outcomes of the special prosecutor's findings.
Meanwhile, on the afternoon of the same day, Kim Geon-hee, who completed her pre-arrest interrogation, was transferred to the southern detention center. It is expected that a decision on her detention will be reached as early as that night.
Image source: On the 6th, Kim Geon-hee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, is seen returning home after being investigated at the Kim Geon-hee special prosecutor team's office (Special Prosecutor Min Jung-ki) established at the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul. / News1, Seohi Construction / Photo source: Insight, JTBC
