▲ Kim Keon-hee
The Special Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency, which is investigating the remaining cases related to the three special counsel bills, has decided to reinvestigate whether First Lady Kim Keon-hee was involved in the so-called "boat party" scandal, following a request for supplementary investigation from the prosecution.
In a press statement today (June 15), the special investigation team announced, "On the 12th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office requested a supplementary investigation into the case involving suspects Kim Sung-hoon, Kim Yong-hyun, and Kim Keon-hee regarding charges such as the violation of the Act on the Security of the President and Others."
The special investigation team explained that it has accepted this request and will conduct a supplementary investigation to clarify the charges against former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun and former Presidential Security Service Planning and Management Office Chief Kim Sung-hoon, while also reinvestigating whether First Lady Kim Keon-hee was involved.
Last month, the special investigation team referred the former minister and the former office chief to the prosecution without detention on charges of abetting abuse of power and abuse of power, respectively.
Former Minister Kim is accused of ordering, through former office chief Kim, for security service staff to procure high-end food ingredients, install a karaoke machine for a boat party at the VIP guesthouse, and prepare fireworks in connection with the "Presidential Summer Vacation Event" held at Jeodo in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, in August 2023, while he was serving as the Chief of the Presidential Security Service.
However, a decision had previously been made not to refer the First Lady to the prosecution, citing insufficient evidence.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.