(C) Malai Mail

SEOUL — South Korea’s Special Counsel investigating allegations against former First Lady Kim Keon-hee has intensified its probe, conducting a large-scale raid focused on the suspicion that she received an expensive “Dior three-piece set” in exchange for providing preferential treatment in the presidential residence construction project.

Extensive Raids and Seizure of Dior Items 

The special counsel, led by Min Joong-ki, executed search and seizure warrants on nine locations on November 6, including the private residence of former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife in Acrovista, the office of the interior firm 21 Gram, and the former First Lady's company, Covana Contents. The warrants reportedly specify charges of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act concerning the presidential residence relocation, and explicitly list "a set of Dior products" for seizure.

The investigation centers on the allegation that Kim received a Dior handbag, clothing, and a bracelet from Cho, the wife of 21 Gram's CEO, between April and August 2022, around the time the company was awarded the presidential residence contract. This is suspected to have been a bribe for securing the contract. 21 Gram, which lacked the necessary general construction license, is accused of receiving preferential treatment via a sole-source contract for the relocation and extension of the presidential residence after Yoon's inauguration.

Suspect Connection to Contractor and Previous Luxury Gift Allegations 

The CEO of 21 Gram and his wife, Cho, are reportedly close acquaintances of the former First Lady, with the CEO being an alumnus of Kookmin University’s graduate school alongside Kim. Cho is also known to have accompanied a former Presidential Office administrator to exchange a Chanel bag previously given to Kim by a figure associated with the Unification Church.

While the 21 Gram couple are listed as suspects in the related charges, Kim Keon-hee remains a material witness for this specific allegation, although she is already involved in other controversies, including receiving a $2,200 Dior bag from Pastor Choi Jae-young in September 2022.

The special counsel attempted to seize the Dior items at the former president's residence but reportedly faced opposition from Kim’s legal team, who protested that the search warrant failed to specify the items, arguing it constituted a “fishing expedition.” Special Prosecutor Kim Hyung-geun stated during a briefing that the raid was necessary to secure evidence related to "new facts confirmed during the investigation process."

Kim Keon-hee Summoned and Bail Hearing Scheduled 

Kim's legal representatives denounced the search—the fourth on the former president's residence—as unprecedented in constitutional history and maintained that Kim did not receive high-value items from 21 Gram.

The special counsel has formally summoned Kim Keon-hee to appear for questioning on November 24 via the detention center. The interrogation is expected to focus on multiple corruption allegations, including the "NATO three-piece set" scandal involving a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace allegedly received from the chairman of Seohui Construction, Lee Bong-kwan, in return for affecting the appointment of Lee’s son-in-law, Park Sung-geun, as former Prime Minister's Chief of Staff. Kim’s side has not yet confirmed her attendance.

Additionally, the special counsel questioned former National Education Commission Chairperson Lee Bae-yong as a material witness regarding the "Golden Turtle Job-for-Sale" allegation, which involves the suspected delivery of a golden turtle and traditional crafts to Kim for her influence in Lee's appointment.