Arrest of Kim Keon-hee from South Korea exposes alleged bribery involving a luxury watch worth over $40,000
In a recent development, Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki's team has opened a formal investigation into claims that a businessman surnamed Seo bought a luxury watch for a yet-to-be-identified individual, raising questions about possible corruption.
The watch in question is a Vacheron Constantin "Historiques American 1921", worth approximately 54 million won (US$39,000). The investigation is centred around the purchase, which reportedly took place in September 2022, four months after Yoon Suk-yeol took office as the 20th President of South Korea.
However, it's important to note that specific details about Yoon's involvement in this incident are not available at this time. Yoon Suk-yeol, a former prosecutor known for his anti-corruption investigations, served as Prosecutor General from 2019 to 2021 before becoming president in May 2022.
Meanwhile, Kim, who is currently under investigation, has not eaten a meal since being detained on Wednesday afternoon. The detention centre officials made a statement about Kim's appearance before prosecutors, stating that his current health condition is poor. Kim is expected to appear before prosecutors for an interrogation on Thursday, marking his first interrogation since being jailed.
A boutique sales clerk in Seoul confirmed via a video call that she would give a "special VIP" discount for the watch sale. The clerk did not disclose the identity of the buyer, but the watch was reportedly sold to Kim for 35 million won.
The investigation is ongoing, and no conclusion has been reached regarding the watch purchase. As more information becomes available, the public will be updated on the progress of the investigation.
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- The businessman, Seo, is under investigation for potentially engaging in corruption by purchasing a luxury watch, which raises questions about policy-and-legislation and political accountability.
- The purchase of the watch, a Vacheron Constantin "Historiques American 1921", worth approximately 54 million won (US$39,000), is of significant interest in the general news and politics spheres.
- The trade of the watch, reportedly sold to Kim for 35 million won, has become a crucial point in the ongoing investigation into Kim's potential criminal activity and documentable health decline.
- As Yoon Suk-yeol, the former prosecutor known for his anti-corruption investigations, is involved in the case indirectly due to the timing of the watch purchase, questions about public trust, politics, and potential conflicts of interest have arisen.
