South Korea special prosecutor summons ex-prosecutor over first lady's investigation cover-up allegations

South Korea's second special prosecutor team, led by Prosecutor Kwon Chang-young, has summoned former Seoul Central District Prosecutor Lee Chang-soo for questioning regarding allegations of a cover-up in the investigation into first lady Kim Keon-hee's alleged involvement in stock manipulation.

The special prosecutor's team announced on June 2 that Lee, who faces charges including forging official documents, was notified of the summons, expected sometime next week. The investigation aims to determine if there was a "lenient investigation" during the prosecution's handling of the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation allegations and the luxury bag scandal, which led to Kim Keon-hee's non-prosecution in October 2024.

Prosecutors are scrutinizing the actions of former officials, including Choi Jae-hoon, the former head of the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2, and former Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung. They are investigating whether there was any organized effort within the prosecution service that influenced the decision to clear Kim Keon-hee of charges. Lee Chang-soo served as the Seoul Central District Prosecutor from May 2024 until June of the following year and was part of the decision-making process for the investigation involving the first lady.

The special prosecutor's team previously questioned Choi, the lead prosecutor on the case, as a witness on May 11, seeking to understand the circumstances surrounding the investigation and the eventual decision not to indict the first lady.