The Special Prosecutor's Team, led by Kwon Chang-young, summoned former Minister of Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min and former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun for questioning on June 4.
Starting at 10 a.m., the special prosecutor is investigating Lee for allegations of abuse of power related to the relocation of the presidential residence.
Lee is accused of illegally diverting approximately 2.8 billion won from the Ministry of Interior's budget to pay an unqualified contractor, 21 Grams, during the relocation project in 2022.
The special prosecutor suspects that Lee, under pressure from the presidential office, retaliated against staff members who opposed the budget diversion by excluding them from promotions and other personnel benefits.
Investigators are also looking into whether there were directives or involvement from higher-ups, including former President Yoon Suk Yeol and Kim Geon-hee, who had connections with 21 Grams.
Last month, the special prosecutor arrested former Chief of Staff Kim Dae-ki and former Secretary for General Affairs Yoon Jae-soon, among other officials from the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, marking the first instance of securing custody since the special prosecutor's establishment.
On the same day, the special prosecutor began questioning Kim Yong-hyun, who faces charges of rebellion and organizing a criminal group under military law.
Kim is accused of sending armed soldiers to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission to incite rebellion. He allegedly conspired with former Army Intelligence Command Chief Noh Sang-won to establish an unofficial organization called the 'Second Investigation Unit' under a joint investigation headquarters to seize control of the Election Commission.
In response, Kim's legal team claims that he is already facing charges of rebellion in a separate trial, arguing that this constitutes double indictment.
Through his attorney, Kim stated, "Changing the packaging does not change the contents. This is clearly a case of duplicate investigation and illegal double indictment."
The special prosecutor has scheduled a face-to-face investigation with former President Yoon for June 6 at 10 a.m.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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