The Special Prosecutors' Office, investigating remaining allegations after the third special investigation, announced on August 18 that they have charged Kim Geon-hee and Yoon Han-hong, a member of the National Assembly and former head of the presidential transition team, without detention for their roles in selecting the unqualified firm 21Gram for the construction of the Hannam-dong residence.
According to the special prosecutors, Kim and Yoon are accused of abusing their authority in April 2022 by coercing a representative of 21Gram, which was preparing for the residence construction, to negotiate the lending of a construction contractor's name. Yoon is also charged with facilitating 21Gram's use of another company's name for construction work, violating the Basic Construction Industry Act.
In May 2022, Kim allegedly pressured the signing of a contract with 21Gram, despite the firm being unqualified and in violation of laws and regulations.
During this process, Kim is accused of receiving approximately 10 million won in bribes, including Dior clothing, belts, and bracelets worth 6.88 million won, and Chanel payments worth 3.24 million won, in exchange for facilitating the awarding of the construction contract and increasing the project budget.
The investigation revealed that the original site for the residence was selected and announced as the Army Chief of Staff's residence based on the opinions of feng shui experts, budget considerations, and construction schedules. However, it was later changed after Kim and Yoon, along with former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, visited the Foreign Minister's residence multiple times. The construction firm was ultimately changed to 21Gram at the request of Kim and under Yoon's direction.
The special prosecutors also charged former presidential office management secretary Kim O-jin for providing false testimony during a National Assembly audit. However, allegations regarding illegal contracts and payments involving the National Security Office will be referred to the National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters.
Additionally, on August 14, the special prosecutors charged Kang Ho-pil, former commander of the Army Ground Operations Command, Park Jae-yeol, former commander of the 7th Corps, and Yeo In-hyung, former head of the Counterintelligence Command, without detention for their involvement in a coup during the December 3 martial law.
The special prosecutors determined that Kang actively contributed to the martial law by transitioning the Ground Operations Command to a martial law response system and directing the assembly of crisis response teams and former officers at the time of the martial law declaration.
Park was also charged for summoning subordinate units to carry out martial law duties under Kang's orders.
Previously, Jo Eun-seok, the special prosecutor for the coup, had questioned Kang as a witness, but the comprehensive special prosecutors decided to charge him after determining he participated in prior discussions before the martial law was declared.
A note found on Yeo's phone, which included the phrase 'the four of us are prepared,' was a key piece of evidence linking him to the Ground Operations Commander. Despite a court rejecting a warrant for Kang's arrest last month, the special prosecutors proceeded with the charges after supplementing evidence to prove the allegations.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed through the coup special prosecutors' investigation records that Kang expressed his intention to retire to former Defense Minister Shin Won-sik in response to former President Yoon's remark that 'the military should step in.'
Yeo is also accused of creating a separate list of military generals who had connections with or did not align with the Democratic Party and other opposition parties during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, leading to unfair disadvantages in military personnel processes.
A representative from the special prosecutors emphasized their commitment to maintaining the prosecution of those involved in the national governance scandal and coup allegations, ensuring that appropriate penalties are imposed in court.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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