[Global Times Special Correspondent Yi Wen] According to a report by Yonhap News Agency on the 14th, the Independent Prosecutors’ Office (IPA) in South Korea summoned Kim Jong-hee for questioning. Due to Kim Jong-hee’s refusal to answer most of the charges, the interrogation ended about four hours later. The IPA requested that she appear again at the office on the 18th.
Kim Jong-hee arrived at the Seoul Central District Court on the 12th to attend the arrest interrogation. (Visual China)
The report states that around 8:40 AM local time on the 14th, Kim Jong-hee left the detention center in the south of Seoul and took a vehicle escorted by the Ministry of Justice to the IPA office located near Gwanghwamun Gate in downtown Seoul. From 9:56 AM to 2:10 PM, Kim Jong-hee was under investigation at the IPA office. Considering her rest time, the actual duration of her interrogation was only 2 hours and 9 minutes. This is Kim Jong-hee’s second interview with the IPA since the 6th of this month, and it marks her first appearance at the office for an interview since being arrested late last night.
During the meeting, Assistant Prosecutor Won Hong-joo stated that the IPA questioned Kim Jong-hee regarding issues such as illegal interference in elections and public nominations. Kim Jong-hee exercised her right to silence on most charges. In other words, due to Kim Jong-hee’s refusal to answer, the investigation was concluded early.
The IPA requested that Kim Jong-hee appear at the office at 10 AM on the 18th, but Kim Jong-hee’s side has not explicitly indicated her intention to appear. Kim Jong-hee’s defense team explained that since Kim Jong-hee’s side is currently coordinating medical appointments next week, it is difficult to determine whether she can appear for the interview on time. However, Kim Jong-hee will try to comply with the IPA’s schedule for interviews as much as possible.
On the 7th, the “Kim Jong-hee IPA” applied to the Seoul Central District Court for Kim Jong-hee’s arrest on charges of violating the Capital Market Law, the Political Fund Law, and the Special Crimes Enhancing Punishment Law. The Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant for Kim Jong-hee late on the 12th, and she was subsequently detained in the southern detention center in Seoul.