Special Prosecutor's Team Summons Key Figures in Kim Geon-hee Investigation

The special prosecutor's team investigating various allegations against Kim Geon-hee, the wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, held a briefing on July 8 at the KT Gwanghwamun Building in Jongno, Seoul. During the briefing, Special Prosecutor Oh Jeong-hee announced that four individuals, including Kakao founder Kim Beom-soo, former Daou Kiwoom Group chairman Kim Ik-rae, former Korea Securities Finance Corporation president Yoon Chang-ho, and HS Hyosung vice chairman Cho Hyun-sang, have been summoned to appear by 10 AM on July 17.

The allegations involve the receipt of funds under the pretext of investments in IMS Mobility (formerly known as Be My Car), where an individual known as Kim, who is reportedly a butler for Kim Geon-hee's family, held an executive position. IMS Mobility received 18.4 billion KRW in investments from Kakao Mobility, HS Hyosung, and Korea Securities Finance in 2023, and the special prosecutor's team is focusing on the poor management conditions of these companies at the time of investment. Notably, Kakao Mobility was under investigation by the Fair Trade Commission and financial authorities for allegations of 'call blocking' and 'cooking the books,' while HS Hyosung was facing internal whistleblower issues reported in the media. The investigation aims to determine whether Kim, the butler, influenced these companies to invest in IMS Mobility.

In its early days, IMS Mobility was suspected of being involved in stock price manipulation linked to Deutsche Motors, from which it leased 50 BMW vehicles for its operations. The company also sponsored exhibitions organized by Kobana Contents in 2016 and 2019.

The key figure in the allegations, Kim, reportedly left for Vietnam in April. The special prosecutor's team urged him to return immediately to cooperate with the investigation.