Special Prosecutor's Team Conducts Search on Kim Geon-hee Amid Sponsorship Allegations

On July 25, 2025, the special prosecutor's team investigating allegations surrounding corporate sponsorship by Kobana Contents conducted a search at the residence of Kim Geon-hee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol. During the search, it was confirmed that investigators photographed Kim's shoe size.

Reports indicate that approximately 15 members of the special prosecutor's team, including prosecutors and investigators, were dispatched to the Acro Vista building in Seocho-gu, Seoul, where both Kim's residence and the Kobana Contents office are located. They documented the sizes of Kim's shoes, including her Chanel heels, found in her shoe cabinet.

This investigation is linked to allegations that Yoo Kyung-ok, a former administrative officer in the presidential office, received two Chanel bags from Jeon Seong-bae, known as 'Geonjin Beopsa,' and exchanged them for shoes and three other bags. The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office had previously gathered evidence suggesting that Yoo had swapped for shoes sized 250mm during their investigation into the Geonjin Beopsa solicitation allegations. However, the special prosecutor's team reported that the shoes examined were larger than 250mm. A source close to Kim stated that her foot size is generally larger than that of other women.

Additionally, the special prosecutor's team reportedly seized Kim's mobile phone, notebook, and other items during the search. The notebook contained names and phone numbers of acquaintances from 15 to 20 years ago. It was noted that Kim had replaced her phone once after moving out of the official residence, and her laptop was described as nearly unused.

The team also checked closets and bags for any luxury items that may have been received improperly, with female investigators included in the search team due to the nature of the case.

The search warrant issued by the special prosecutor's team identified Kim Geon-hee, former President Yoon Suk-yeol, and Song Byeong-jun, the chairman of Com2us, as suspects in a bribery case related to the Kobana Contents sponsorship allegations. Com2us was one of the companies that sponsored exhibitions organized by Kobana Contents, which Kim operated from June 2015 to April 2019, contributing a total of 219.5 million won to exhibitions such as the 'Mark Rothko Exhibition' and 'Le Corbusier Exhibition.'

At the time of Com2us's sponsorship, Yoon was serving as the head of the special investigation team for the Park Geun-hye and Choi Soon-sil scandal and later as the chief prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. During Yoon's tenure, Com2us and Song faced an investigation for failing to report company stock, but they were cleared of any wrongdoing. This has led to suspicions that Com2us may have sponsored Kobana Contents to influence the investigation.

The special prosecutor's team plans to question Kim Geon-hee on July 29 regarding these allegations.