Mar 16 • 08:45 UTC 🇰🇷 Korea Hankyoreh (KR)

Comprehensive Special Investigation, Search of Yoon Han-hong... Allegations of Favoritism in the Official Residence Construction for 21gram

A special investigation team has conducted a search on lawmaker Yoon Han-hong regarding allegations of favoritism related to the construction of the official residence.

The special investigation team led by Kwon Chang-young has launched a search targeting lawmaker Yoon Han-hong in connection with allegations surrounding the relocation of the presidential office and official residence. On the 16th, they searched Yoon's residence in Seoul, his office, and his local office in Changwon, Gyeongnam. This search is noted as the first coercive investigation since the special probe team's official launch on September 25. Allegations detailed in Yoon's search warrant include abuse of power and obstruction of the exercise of rights.

Yoon, who served as the head of the task force for the relocation of the presidential office during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, is accused of having directed former Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim O-jin to assign the construction work for the official residence to 21gram, an interior firm chosen by Kim Geon-hee. The firm, 21gram, is known for having sponsored exhibitions of Cobana Contents, a company run by Kim Geon-hee. The CEO and others from 21gram reportedly visited the couple's residence in Acro Vista, Seocho-gu, Seoul, at least eight times between April and August 2022, coinciding with the construction period.

Previously, a special investigation team led by Min Jung-ki, which looked into allegations against Kim Geon-hee, obtained testimony from Kim O-jin that he was directed to select 21gram for the official residence construction by Yoon Han-hong. However, due to constraints on the investigation period, this matter has not been explored further. Instead, Kim O-jin and an official from the Presidential Office, Hwang, have faced charges for assigning the construction oversight to 21gram, which lacked the necessary general construction license. This case is currently ongoing in court.

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