Special counsel accuses ex-first lady of accepting additional luxury items | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK By Lee Haye-ah SEOUL, April 6 (Yonhap) -- A comprehensive special counsel team said Monday it has found circumstantial evidence that former first lady Kim Keon Hee accepted additional luxury items in connection with the presidential residence relocation in 2022. The team led by special counsel Kwon Chang-young launched in February to investigate allegations unresolved by three previous special counsel teams, including suspicions the former first lady used her influence to award the presidential residence renovation contract to 21 Gram, an interior design company without the proper license. "In relation to the presidential residence renovation, we found specific circumstances that Kim Keon Hee received additional luxury items, and a search and seizure is under way at the (relevant) company office and the company head's home," assistant special counsel Kim Ji-mi said during a press briefing, without disclosing the alleged briber or other details. Former first lady Kim Keon Hee (C) is seated at a courtroom at the Seoul Central District Court in the capital in this file photo taken Sept. 24, 2025, to attend the first hearing of her corruption trial following her indictment on charges of stock manipulation, bribery and other corruption. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) hague@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Special counsel raids top prosecution offices over alleged cover-up of ex-first lady's case (LEAD) Ex-President Yoon, wife face same court in separate trials Special counsel raids PPP lawmaker's home, office over presidential residence relocation New special counsel launches to investigate uncovered allegations surrounding ex-President Yoon Keywords #special counsel #ex-first lady Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP (URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' (LEAD) (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S. (3rd LD) Lee says S. Korea's premier inspects cement factory BTS-themed musical fountain Black Eagles in Yeouido Cherry blossom festival prev Special counsel accuses ex-first lady of accepting additional luxury items Next Special counsel accuses ex-first lady of accepting additional luxury items

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By Lee Haye-ah
SEOUL, April 6 (Yonhap) -- A comprehensive special counsel team said Monday it has found circumstantial evidence that former first lady Kim Keon Hee accepted additional luxury items in connection with the presidential residence relocation in 2022.
The team led by special counsel Kwon Chang-young launched in February to investigate allegations unresolved by three previous special counsel teams, including suspicions the former first lady used her influence to award the presidential residence renovation contract to 21 Gram, an interior design company without the proper license.
"In relation to the presidential residence renovation, we found specific circumstances that Kim Keon Hee received additional luxury items, and a search and seizure is under way at the (relevant) company office and the company head's home," assistant special counsel Kim Ji-mi said during a press briefing, without disclosing the alleged briber or other details.
The case centers on allegations that 21 Gram won the contract in May 2022 thanks to its ties to the former first lady even though a different company had been chosen shortly after her husband and former President Yoon Suk Yeol's election two months earlier.
21 Gram was previously involved in designing and constructing the office of a cultural content company headed by Kim Keon Hee and had sponsored some of its exhibitions.
The relocation and renovation of the presidential residence proceeded in tandem with the relocation of the presidential office in line with one of Yoon's campaign pledges.
Both Yoon and Kim are currently jailed, with the former president standing trial over his 2024 imposition of martial law and his wife standing trial on various corruption charges.
In one case, Kim has been indicted on charges of receiving 80 million won (US$53,000) worth of luxury goods from a Unification Church official in exchange for business favors.
Former first lady Kim Keon Hee (C) is seated at a courtroom at the Seoul Central District Court in the capital in this file photo taken Sept. 24, 2025, to attend the first hearing of her corruption trial following her indictment on charges of stock manipulation, bribery and other corruption. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)
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Special counsel accuses ex-first lady of accepting additional luxury items

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- OK By Lee Haye-ah SEOUL, April 6 (Yonhap) -- A comprehensive special counsel team said Monday it has found circumstantial evidence that former first lady Kim Keon Hee accepted additional luxury items in connection with the presidential residence relocation in 2022.

### Areas for Consideration
- Former first lady Kim Keon Hee (C) is seated at a courtroom at the Seoul Central District Court in the capital in this file photo taken Sept. 24, 2025, to attend the first hearing of her corruption trial following her indictment on charges of stock manipulation, bribery and other corruption. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) hague@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Special counsel raids top prosecution offices over alleged cover-up of ex-first lady's case (LEAD) Ex-President Yoon, wife face same court in separate trials Special counsel raids PPP lawmaker's home, office over presidential residence relocation New special counsel launches to investigate uncovered allegations surrounding ex-President Yoon Keywords #special counsel #ex-first lady Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP (URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' (LEAD) (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S. (3rd LD) Lee says S.

### Implications
- The team led by special counsel Kwon Chang-young launched in February to investigate allegations unresolved by three previous special counsel teams, including suspicions the former first lady used her influence to award the presidential residence renovation contract to 21 Gram, an interior design company without the proper license. "In relation to the presidential residence renovation, we found specific circumstances that Kim Keon Hee received additional luxury items, and a search and seizure is under way at the (relevant) company office and the company head's home," assistant special counsel Kim Ji-mi said during a press briefing, without disclosing the alleged briber or other details.
- The case centers on allegations that 21 Gram won the contract in May 2022 thanks to its ties to the former first lady even though a different company had been chosen shortly after her husband and former President Yoon Suk Yeol's election two months earlier. 21 Gram was previously involved in designing and constructing the office of a cultural content company headed by Kim Keon Hee and had sponsored some of its exhibitions.
- Former first lady Kim Keon Hee (C) is seated at a courtroom at the Seoul Central District Court in the capital in this file photo taken Sept. 24, 2025, to attend the first hearing of her corruption trial following her indictment on charges of stock manipulation, bribery and other corruption. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) hague@yna.co.kr (END) Related Articles Special counsel raids top prosecution offices over alleged cover-up of ex-first lady's case (LEAD) Ex-President Yoon, wife face same court in separate trials Special counsel raids PPP lawmaker's home, office over presidential residence relocation New special counsel launches to investigate uncovered allegations surrounding ex-President Yoon Keywords #special counsel #ex-first lady Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP (URGENT) BTS earns 7th No. 1 song on the Billboard singles chart with 'Swim' (LEAD) (News Focus) With 'Arirang,' BTS proves endurance beyond long break Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S. (3rd LD) Lee says S.
- Korea, France agree to cooperate on safe passage through Strait of Hormuz Most Viewed All Categories (LEAD) Lee expresses regret over drone flights by individuals into N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers special, counsel, lady topics. Notable strengths include discussion of special. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 672.