Prosecutors Acquire Hundreds of Tapes in Kim Geon-hee Investigation

On June 17, it was reported that prosecutors investigating the 'Deutsche Motors stock manipulation' case have secured hundreds of audio recordings suggesting that Kim Geon-hee, the spouse of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, was aware of stock manipulation activities involving former Deutsche Motors Chairman Kwon Oh-soo and others. The prosecution has issued a second summons for Kim, instructing her to appear for questioning next week.

According to sources, the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office recently conducted a search at Mirae Asset Securities, where accounts under Kim's name were allegedly used in the stock manipulation scheme. They obtained recordings of conversations between Kim and securities firm employees from 2009 to 2012.

These recordings reportedly contradict Kim's previous claims, indicating that she was aware of the stock manipulation activities led by Kwon, a key figure in the scheme, and Lee Jong-ho, the former head of Black Pearl Investment, who acted as a control tower in the operation. One of the recordings allegedly includes Kim stating that she agreed to entrust her account to Black Pearl in exchange for a 40% return.

Previously, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office had cleared Kim of any wrongdoing in October of last year, citing a lack of evidence to support claims that she had entered into a loss compensation agreement. However, the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office has now gathered evidence that could overturn the earlier findings.

Additionally, the prosecutors have clarified the nature of an Excel file named 'Kim Geon-hee,' which was previously secured by the original investigation team. This file, found on the computer of an employee at Black Pearl Investment, contained details of Kim's two accounts, including stock balances and withdrawal records, and was last modified in January 2011, during the second phase of the stock manipulation.

The stock manipulation group had previously claimed ignorance regarding the file's creation during court proceedings. However, the current investigation team has reportedly deciphered the file's various figures and dates, concluding that there is sufficient evidence to charge Kim as an accomplice in the stock manipulation.

The prosecution has notified Kim to appear at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office by next week at the latest. However, Kim was hospitalized at Asan Medical Center on June 16 due to severe depression, which may lead her to refuse the investigation.

If Kim fails to comply with the second summons, the investigation may be continued by the special investigation team led by Min Jung-ki. The prosecution plans to transfer the collected evidence, including investigation records and audio files, to the special team. A dedicated investigation team looking into allegations against political broker Myung Tae-kyun has also issued a third summons to Kim.

Furthermore, allegations have emerged that Kim used a secure phone to communicate with Kim Joo-hyun, the chief of civil affairs at the presidential office, just before her scheduled questioning by prosecutors last July. Reports indicate that Kim spoke with the former chief twice for about 33 minutes on July 3, 2022, prior to her investigation into the 'Deutsche Motors stock manipulation' and 'Dior bag receipt' allegations. On July 20, Kim was questioned at a facility associated with the presidential security service rather than at the prosecutors' office.

In response, a representative for Kim stated that she does not recall the details of her conversations with the former chief and noted that she returned the secure phone months before leaving the Hanam-dong residence, claiming she had used the phone fewer than ten times.