▲ National Policy Committee Chairperson Yoon Han-hong talks with committee members prior to the session.
The 2nd Special Counsel Team led by Kwon Chang-young, which is investigating allegations of corruption and irregularities surrounding the relocation of the presidential residence, has notified People Power Party Representative Yoon Han-hong to appear for questioning.
The special counsel team announced today (July 28) that it plans to summon and question Rep. Yoon at 10 a.m. on August 1.
He holds the status of a suspect on charges of abuse of authority and obstruction of rights.
Rep. Yoon is accused of unfairly intervening in the selection of the new residence site and construction contractors while overseeing the relocation as the head of the Blue House Relocation Task Force during the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.
The special counsel team is focusing on the fact that the destination site was changed after Rep. Yoon and Kim Keon-hee visited prospective residence sites in advance three times in April 2022.
According to the special counsel team's perspective, the presidential residence was originally scheduled to move to the Army Chief of Staff's official residence, but the location was changed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs' official residence without justifiable reasons following Kim's pre-inspection.
Rep. Yoon is also suspected of instructing former Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim O-jin to select "21gram," an interior design company with ties to Kim, as the contractor.
Consequently, the special counsel team believes that 21gram, an unqualified company lacking a general construction business license, received preferential treatment by securing a private contract for the relocation and expansion construction of the residence.
21gram previously sponsored an exhibition hosted by Covana Contents, operated by Kim Keon-hee, and was in charge of designing and constructing its office.
It is known that Kim is closely acquainted with the spouse of 21gram's CEO Kim.
The special counsel team has continued its related investigation after conducting its first compulsory investigation in March by executing a search and seizure warrant targeting former Representative Yoon.
Regarding allegations of budget diversion related to the residence relocation, the team indicted former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min and former Presidential Chief of Staff Kim Dae-ki, and is currently investigating former Audit Commissioner Yoo Byeong-ho in custody over allegations of conducting a lax audit.
On July 22, the team summoned Kim as a suspect to intensively investigate allegations regarding gifts or money received in connection with the residence relocation.
The special counsel team plans to press Rep. Yoon on the process of changing the residence site and selecting the construction contractor, as well as whether there were instructions or intervention from higher-ups.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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