The second comprehensive special counsel team will summon former presidential office aide Yoo Gyeong-ok, known as one of the three key inner-circle figures close to First Lady Kim Keon-hee, for questioning as a suspect on July 6.
The special counsel team reportedly booked Yoo on charges of aiding and abetting the acceptance of bribes under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes. Investigators suspect that Yoo was involved in the entire process during the 2022 presidential residence relocation, in which the construction firm 21gram and others allegedly provided Dior-branded clothing and valuables to the First Lady.
21gram is the company that sponsored exhibitions hosted by Covana Contents, which was operated by the First Lady, and handled the design and construction of the Covana Contents office. Allegations have been raised that the firm unfairly secured the presidential residence construction contract under the influence of the First Lady, despite lacking a general construction license.
The special counsel team plans to question Yoo regarding what role, if any, the First Lady played in helping 21gram secure the contract for the presidential residence relocation.