SEOUL – The special prosecutor's office is intensifying its efforts to prove the necessity of arresting First Lady Kim Keon-hee. A key hearing is scheduled for August 12, where a judge will decide whether to issue an arrest warrant. The prosecution's strategy hinges on using Kim's denial of all charges as evidence of a flight risk and a potential for evidence tampering.
The special prosecutor's office expressed confidence after filing the arrest warrant request on August 7, stating that all legal requirements had been met. Kim's legal team, however, has countered, calling the warrant request "unreasonable" and lacking sufficient evidence. This sets the stage for a fierce legal battle during the hearing at the Seoul Central District Court. Legal experts note that when a suspect denies charges despite the existence of objective evidence or testimonies, it can strengthen the grounds for an arrest warrant. Therefore, the prosecution's success in substantiating the charges will be the deciding factor.
Special Prosecutor's Office Navigates Challenges with Former President Yoon
The special prosecutor's office has faced challenges in its investigation, particularly regarding former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The arrest warrant for Yoon expired after a second attempt to execute it failed. Unlike the first failed attempt, where the prosecution expressed a strong resolve to re-execute the warrant, this time they only issued a brief statement confirming the legality of their actions. This shift in tone is seen as an attempt to avoid unnecessary controversy ahead of Kim Keon-hee's critical arrest warrant hearing. The special prosecutor may hold off on further attempts to summon Yoon until after the decision on Kim's arrest. There's also speculation that the special prosecutor could directly indict Yoon without a face-to-face interrogation.
Other Key Investigations and Hearings
The special prosecutor's office is concurrently conducting other important investigations. On August 8, the special prosecutor was set to question Jeong, a secretary to Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han Moon. The Unification Church is suspected of attempting to curry favor by giving luxury gifts to Kim through a 'geomancer,' Jeon Seong-bae. This follows the arrest of former Unification Church World Headquarters official Yoon Yeong-ho, who claims he was acting on orders from higher-ups. The special prosecutor's questioning of Jeong is expected to focus on the alleged involvement of Hak Ja Han Moon and other senior figures.
Additionally, a writ of habeas corpus review is scheduled for Lee Jong-ho, former CEO of Black Pearl Investment and a close associate of Kim Keon-hee. Lee was arrested on charges of violating the Attorney-at-Law Act. His defense team plans to argue that there is no risk of evidence tampering, as the prosecution has already secured most of the relevant evidence, and that Lee has cooperated with the investigation. As Lee is considered a key figure in both the Sambu Togeon stock price manipulation and lobbying scandal, the outcome of this review will likely influence the pace of the overall investigation.
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