Prosecutors unaware of First Lady's investigation location until day of questioning

Prosecutors investigating allegations against South Korean First Lady Kim Keon-hee were reportedly unaware of the location for her in-person questioning until the very day of the inquiry. The investigation team allegedly received the location from Kim's representatives and then proceeded to that site for the questioning.

This situation has drawn criticism, with accusations that the prosecution granted Kim preferential treatment, dubbing it an "emperor's investigation." The questioning took place on July 20, 2024, at a building managed by the Presidential Security Service in Changseong-dong, Seoul.

Sources within the prosecution team, speaking to the Hankyoreh newspaper, revealed that they did not know the investigation's location until the morning of the scheduled questioning. They only confirmed the site after being notified by Kim's side on that day.

While the prosecution team maintains that there was no external pressure during the investigation, a special prosecutor's team is currently examining the circumstances. This special team is investigating suspicions that the prosecution team may have closely coordinated not only the methods of questioning but also the content of the investigation with both Kim's side and the presidential office.

As part of this ongoing inquiry, the special prosecutor's team plans to question former Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office officials, including Choi Jae-hoon, former head of the Anti-Corruption Division 2, and Lee Chang-soo, former head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. The focus is on understanding the extent of coordination and potential influence during the investigation into allegations surrounding the first lady.