Special prosecutors secure testimony on plans for first lady's company office in presidential residence

Prosecutors investigating allegations surrounding first lady Kim Keon-hee have secured testimony indicating that plans were made to establish an office for her company, Covana Contents, within the presidential residence. According to a Hankyoreh report, an official from the interior design firm 21gram recently told the special prosecutor's team that preparations were underway to set up a Covana Contents office in the administrative building of the presidential residence.

The firm 21gram, whose CEO has a long-standing relationship with Kim, is accused of receiving preferential treatment in being selected for the presidential residence renovation project, despite lacking the necessary license for such large-scale construction. The first lady is suspected of intervening through former presidential secretary Kim Oh-jin to ensure 21gram was awarded the contract shortly after the Yoon Suk-yeol administration took office in 2022.

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We had prepared an office for Covana Contents inside the administrative building of the residence. We also prepared the space for the office installation.

Kim Keon-hee was questioned by the special prosecutor's team on May 22 as a suspect in charges including bribery and abuse of power under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. However, she reportedly refused to answer any questions during the interrogation. Her legal team has vehemently denied any involvement in the allegations.

Despite the denials, the special prosecutor's team is reportedly preparing to indict Kim Keon-hee soon. The investigation centers on whether she leveraged her influence to benefit 21gram in securing the lucrative renovation contract for the presidential residence.

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We are not aware of any such facts.