The Kim Geon-hee Butler Gate and the Special Investigation of Min Jung-ki - The Shadow of Power and Money

I. The Disappeared 'Housekeeper', Revealing the Shadow of Power

In April 2025, a prominent figure quietly left South Korea. Neither the media nor investigative agencies, nor anyone in the political arena who had been closely associated with him, made significant mentions of his departure. However, just a few months later, his name adorned news headlines, placing him at the center of a national controversy. He is Mr. Kim, who was referred to as the 'housekeeper' of First Lady Kim Geon-hee. Although Mr. Kim was known simply as a private entrepreneur, the reason for his re-emergence is clear. It was revealed that 'IMS Mobility,' a car rental startup he was reportedly involved in running, had attracted substantial investment from large corporations despite being in a state of capital erosion. IMS had been financially unstable since its inception and lacked noteworthy elements in terms of business performance or technology. Yet, the fact that major companies such as Kakao Mobility, HS HyoSung, and Deutsche Motors invested in this company raised doubts that went beyond a mere success story of entrepreneurship. As a result, the public began to harbor questions. Was this investment a reflection of potential business viability, or was it a type of 'insurance' relying on connections to power? This inquiry converges on a single keyword: 'Housekeeper Gate.' Allegations of financial collusion involving power surrounding First Lady Kim Geon-hee form the core of this case.

II. Suspicious Financial Flow between Mr. Kim and IMS

IMS Mobility was inherently structured in a way that raised suspicions. Starting in 2023, individuals including Mr. Kim became actively involved in this company, and substantial funds from large corporations and financial institutions flowed into the rental car business expansion. IMS, which started in 2021 under the name 'Be My Car,' promoted a vehicle-sharing and rental car platform but failed to demonstrate any significant achievements, plunging into deficits and capital erosion. The fact that an investment of 18 billion won was concentrated in such a company in a short period is quite unusual. Notably, the list of investors included Kakao Mobility, HS Asset Management (a subsidiary of the Hyosung Group), Deutsche Motors, and 21 Grams (a funeral services platform company). These companies largely overlap with the sponsors of the exhibition planning company 'Kobana Contents,' which was previously run by First Lady Kim Kun-hee. Such a structure is difficult to view simply as a startup investment. The timing, targets, and scale of the investments raise the possibility of 'backdoor deals.' In other words, it could be funding based not on business viability but on political influence, or a form of quid pro quo lobbying. In particular, the investment structure of IMS closely resembles the way corporations used to sponsor Kobana Contents exhibitions with sums in the hundreds of millions of won. Although it appears to be a legitimate investment or sponsorship on the surface, it is similar in that it actually represents funding intended with the shadow of power in mind.

III. The Start of the Special Investigation by the People’s Prosecutor and the Circumstances of Evasion

As these circumstances come to light, the special investigation team led by Min Jong-ki, known as the Kim Geon-hee special probe, officially begins its investigation. The investigation started in April when Mr. Kim abruptly left the country. When the media captured his name and attempted to cover the story, he suddenly departed and has not returned to the country since. Special Prosecutor Moon Hong-joo officially confirmed Mr. Kim's escape during a regular briefing on July 9. It has been determined that Mr. Kim changed both his office and family address after leaving the country, effectively dismantling his domestic residency base. In response, the special investigation team announced that it is working towards invalidating Mr. Kim's passport and implementing automatic notifications for his entry and exit. Special Prosecutor Moon Hong-joo stated, "We have secured multiple indications that related individuals exchanged their mobile phones or deleted data," adding that "we will respond strictly to any attempts to destroy evidence by utilizing all legal means." The special investigation team applied for a search warrant for offices and related businesses connected to IMS to the court however, the court rejected it on the grounds that "it is not subject to investigation under the Special Prosecutor Act." Thus, the special investigation team is shifting its investigative direction by concurrently demanding the voluntary submission of materials and summoning related individuals. They are also considering re-submitting requests through supplementary investigations if necessary.

IV. Structured Power-Capital Network

This 'Housekeeper Gate' is not just a simple startup corruption case. It serves as a tangible example of a 'power-based network' that has been functioning around Kim Geon-hee. This network has a certain flow that connects exhibition sponsorship (Kobana Contents) → stock price manipulation (Deutsche Motors) → venture investment (IMS), with the participating companies being similar. Within this structure, while the flow of funds is unclear, it shows a certain directionality. Money circulates around power and through close aides who 'manage' or 'represent' that power. In this process, the formalities appear to have the semblance of legality, but the substance is likely to be lobbying or quid pro quo funds. This structure falls under the special investigation law, Article 2, Item 12, regarding the pursuit of private interests using the position of the presidential spouse. Additionally, since it pertains to crimes recognized during the investigation process, it can also be applied under Item 16. Accordingly, the Min Jung-ki special investigation team has included the suspicion of Kobana Contents' exhibition sponsorship as a subject for re-examination. This is not merely an issue pertaining to Kim Geon-hee as an individual, but also a structural problem of 'aides pursuing personal interests' that frequently recurs around political power in South Korea. In the past, there have been numerous instances where the family or aides of those in power colluded with private companies to seize benefits. However, this case is particularly serious due to the increasingly sophisticated methods used and the wrapping of these actions in a facade of legality.

V. The Path to Uncovering the Truth, The Significance of the Special Prosecutor's Investigation

The Special Investigation Team led by Min Jung-ki officially began its investigation into the 'Housekeeper Gate' on July 8, 2025. Immediately thereafter, they held a briefing to announce plans for travel bans, passport invalidation, and summons investigations, signaling a shift into a full-scale investigative phase. This investigation should not simply end with the capture of one fugitive. It is essential to thoroughly track the connections surrounding Kim Geon-hee and the flow of funds generated by these connections. This matter is not merely an issue of preferential treatment for a specific startup rather, it is a significant event that demonstrates how power influences private economic activities and distorts capital markets. The Min Jung-ki Special Investigation stands as a test of the rule of law in South Korea. The outcomes of this investigation will serve as a standard not only for assessing the morality of the current administration but also for evaluating the effectiveness of institutional mechanisms that can monitor and control power. Ultimately, 'Housekeeper Gate' is not merely about individual corruption, but rather the reality of structural distortions created by collusion between power and capital. If this structure is left unchecked, power will continue to be used as a tool for personal gain in the future, and the public will once again face the same cycle of corruption.

Conclusion: Unveiling the Reality of Wealth Flows Created by the Halo of Power

The whereabouts of Ms. Kim Geon-hee's 'butler,' Mr. Kim, remain shrouded in mystery. He is still staying abroad, and the timing of his return is uncertain. However, one thing is clear: the suspicious funds that flowed through the business he operated, along with the companies linked to those funds, now have a duty to clarify themselves before the public. The special prosecutor's investigation is currently the only tool to elicit that clarification. How accurately the Minjungki special prosecution team can reveal the collusion between power and money will have a profound impact on the future political transparency of South Korea. Power in itself is not dangerous. However, privatized power can easily devolve into a tool of corruption at any time. What is needed now is to rectify that privatization of power and the distorted flow of wealth it has caused. The 'butler gate' is not merely an escape drama but a mirror of power.