Prosecutors are investigating a potential hyperlink between the previous South Korean First Woman Kim Keon-hee and a crypto market maker suspected of manipulating the costs of low-cap altcoins.
The South Korean media outlet OhMyNews claimed it had seen proof that the particular prosecution group charged with investigating the previous First Woman despatched an official request to colleagues investigating a infamous crypto market maker nicknamed Jon Bur Kim (actual surname: Park).
Prosecutors suspect Park (44) of fraud and “rip-off coin” operations. Authorized probes into Park and several other of his suspected associates are ongoing.
A particular counsel group investigating allegations involving former first woman Kim Keon Hee is about to summon her and former President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning. https://t.co/wF8WuStt3p
— The Korea JoongAng Day by day (@JoongAngDaily) July 21, 2025
Former South Korean First Woman: Crypto Wrap Incoming?
OhMyNews says that the particular prosecutors final week “requested a mortgage of the investigation information” within the Park case. The media outlet wrote:
“If the particular prosecution group requested the investigation information associated to Park, it can’t be dominated out that Kim Kun-hee or somebody near her was concerned within the rip-off coin case, or Park’s alleged crimes, investigation, or trial.”
Kim is accused of corruption and peddling affect throughout her time because the South Korean First Woman, through the presidency of Yoon Seok-yeol.
Yoon was faraway from workplace earlier this yr after a failed try and declare martial regulation in December 2024.
Particular prosecutor Min Joong-ki, the lead prosecutor within the Kim probe, additionally summoned Lee Jong-ho, a detailed affiliate of Kim’s, for questioning on July 21.
Prosecution Raid
Lee is the previous chief of the funding agency Blackpearl Make investments. On the finish of final week, prosecutors performed a raid on his dwelling and automotive.
Prosecutors assume Lee took a $58,000 bribe from an auto enterprise government who was accused of manipulating inventory costs.
They imagine Lee could have requested Kim to strain members of the judiciary to make sure the chief was given a suspended sentence.
Prosecutors assume Lee had entry to the previous First Woman’s financial institution accounts, and used these to course of the funds related to the case.
Park, in the meantime, was arrested and indicted together with a software program growth agency CEO surnamed Moon.
Prosecutors assume the duo embezzled tons of of billions of received by issuing and itemizing a suspected rip-off coin named Atube in 2021.
Rip-off Coin Probes
Park can be suspected of working one other alleged rip-off coin named Podo. Investigators assume he embezzled 80 billion received “utilizing the identical methodology” earlier in 2021.
On December 18, 2023, Park tried to flee the nation on a ship to China. Nonetheless, his efforts had been thwarted by a storm.
The Coast Guard, fearing for the boat and its crew’s security, intervened. Officers compelled the boat to dock shortly after it departed, later discovering Park illegally stowed on board.
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol skipped questioning by a particular prosecutor investigating his December declaration of martial regulation, citing the necessity to put together for a later listening to regardless of the chance of arrest https://t.co/OUHg3a7mBN
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 1, 2025
Park was energetic on social media previous to his arrest, the place he brazenly flaunted his wealth and his massive assortment of imported supercars.
Prosecutors have since seized his automobiles, in addition to hundreds of {dollars}’ value of crypto.
Park additionally has property value at the very least a number of hundred billion received, together with home and abroad actual property holdings.
OhMyNews reporters mentioned the Particular Prosecution Staff didn’t reply to their requests for remark.
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