Special prosecutor finds evidence of budget diversion for presidential residence renovation

A special prosecutor team in South Korea is investigating allegations that funds designated for facility maintenance at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety were illegally diverted to renovate the presidential residence during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. Investigators have reportedly secured evidence, including diaries from ministry officials, indicating that the budget reallocation was directed from the presidential office to the interior minister and then to the Government Buildings Management Office.

The probe is focusing on the extent of involvement of former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife, Kim Keon-hee. The cost of the renovation project significantly exceeded the initial budget after the presidential residence's location was changed. The former presidential chief of staff, Kim Dae-ki, allegedly instructed the then-Interior Minister, Lee Sang-min, to use remaining funds from the facility maintenance budget. Lee reportedly agreed and relayed the instruction to the Government Buildings Management Office.

Officials within the Government Buildings Management Office reportedly raised concerns about the legality of diverting ministry funds for the renovation, suggesting alternative funding methods. However, these suggestions were allegedly rejected by the presidential office and the interior minister. Some officials reportedly resisted the task, with one taking sick leave and others requesting reassignment, viewing the project as "risky." The special prosecutor team questioned former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min on suspicion of abuse of power, and previously arrested former chief of staff Kim Dae-ki and former secretary Yoon Jae-soon in connection with the case.

Separately, former President Yoon Suk-yeol was questioned for the first time regarding allegations of disseminating messages justifying the declaration of martial law to allied nations. He is scheduled for further questioning on charges of rebellion leadership under the military criminal act.

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There were concerns among employees that they could be audited or investigated later, so some people who didn't want to handle the work were excluded from the process.