The prosecution has begun investigating People’s Power Party member Lee Jong Bae who was summoned to the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office over allegations surrounding Former First Lady Kim Jung Sook’s trip to India. Kim is the wife of former President Moon Jae In.
The prosecution reassigned the case against Kim which was originally assigned to the Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office to Criminal Division 2. They also dispatched an additional prosecutor, marking the start of a full-fledged investigation. On top of the allegations surrounding Kim’s trip to India, the prosecution is also expected to investigate other accusations by Lee that include suspicions about Kim’s receipt of a luxury jacket and allegations about the presidential security service’s swimming lessons.
Previously, in December 2023, Lee had accused Kim of many illegal things. Among them are loss to the national treasury, embezzlement, breach of trust, and obstruction of the exercise of rights through abuse of authority.
In a statement made on June 19, Lee stated, “Moon claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Kim, but he has been unable to provide any evidence, making it a clear lie.” He added, “Former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Do Jong Hwan, claimed to have received an invitation from Modi. However, this was a self-invitation obtained by asking for an invitation letter.”
Lee pointed out that Kim was insistent on visiting the Taj Mahal for the following reasons:
- India had invited Do and not Kim;
- Contingency funds were hastily arranged, and Kim served as a special assistant to the minister;
- The Diwali festival was a local event unsuitable for a Former First Lady’s attendance.
This was to argue that Kim’s visit to India was intended to be a trip to the Taj Mahal.