Police dismiss case against Kim Hyun-ji, former presidential secretary, over alleged privacy violations and coercion

South Korean authorities have dismissed a high-profile case against a former presidential secretary, Kim Hyun-ji, closing the investigation into allegations of coercion and privacy violations. The Yongsan Police Station in Seoul decided not to prosecute Kim, citing a lack of substantial evidence to support the claims. This decision brings a close to a controversy that had garnered significant public attention.

The allegations against Kim included pressuring former Gender Equality and Family Minister nominee Kang Eun-mi to resign and infringing upon the public's right to know by withholding personal information. The police, however, found the claims regarding the violation of the public's right to know to be insufficiently concrete and lacking supporting evidence. Furthermore, no proof was found to substantiate the accusations of assault or threats against Kang Eun-mi.

Additionally, the investigation addressed claims of embezzlement related to Kim's previous roles in public organizations. The police concluded that these allegations were largely based on media reports and lacked specific details or evidence to prove criminal wrongdoing. This dismissal underscores the high burden of proof required in South Korea for such cases, particularly when they involve public officials and are initiated by civic groups. The outcome reflects a cautious approach by law enforcement in pursuing charges without concrete evidence, emphasizing due process.