Former minister to be questioned over alleged misuse of presidential residence funds

The special prosecutor's office is set to summon former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min on June 4 for questioning as a suspect in an alleged abuse of power case involving the diversion of presidential residence funds.

According to reports, Lee is accused of facilitating the illegal transfer of 2.8 billion won (approximately $2 million) from the Interior Ministry's budget to a company named 21gram, which allegedly lacked the qualifications for the presidential residence renovation project in 2022. The initial budget for the renovation was set at 1.44 billion won, but the relocation of the presidential office and residence increased the project's scope and cost.

Presidential office officials reportedly pressured the Interior Ministry to expedite the renovation, leading the ministry to secure and disburse an additional 2.093 billion won to contractors despite internal objections. The special prosecutor's team suspects that Lee imposed personnel disadvantages, such as blocking promotions, on subordinates who opposed the budget diversion.

This investigation is part of a broader inquiry into residual cases from three special prosecutor probes. The team has already arrested former Presidential Chief of Staff Kim Dae-ki and former Senior Secretary for General Affairs Yoon Jae-soon. Prosecutors intend to question Lee about the decision-making process, specifically seeking to ascertain the extent of President Yoon Suk-yeol and first lady Kim Keon-hee's involvement. Lee Sang-min is currently imprisoned, having received a nine-year sentence in a second-instance trial for charges including aiding in duties related to a state of emergency, stemming from alleged orders to cut power and water to media outlets during a declared emergency.