Prosecutors Conclude Kim Jung-sook Not Guilty Over Blue House Special Activity Fund Clothing Allegations

No Request to Forward Case to Police

The prosecution has concluded that First Lady Kim Jung-sook, spouse of former President Moon Jae-in, is not guilty of allegations that she purchased clothing using Cheong Wa Dae's special activity funds.

Former President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook are entering the National Assembly on the 25th to meet with Speaker Woo Won-shik. On this day, former President Moon visited the National Assembly for the first time since his retirement to attend the 7th anniversary ceremony of the Panmunjom Declaration. April 25, 2025 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

According to the legal community on the 25th, the Criminal Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office (led by Chief Prosecutor Lee Juhee) returned the case records related to Mrs. Kim to the police on the 23rd. This means the prosecution decided to close the case without requesting any further investigation or supplementary actions regarding the police's earlier decision not to refer the case for indictment.

Previously, in July of last year, the police decided not to refer the case for prosecution, citing lack of evidence. However, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office determined in October of the same year that additional investigation was necessary and requested a reinvestigation.

In response to the prosecution's request, the police reviewed financial transaction records but found no evidence of wrongdoing. It was also reported that Mrs. Kim denied the allegations in a written statement. As a result, the police ultimately reached a decision of non-indictment.

The prosecution also conducted its own supplementary investigation but reportedly concluded that it could not determine whether the funds used for the clothing purchases originated from special activity funds.

Mrs. Kim was accused by a civic group in 2022 of purchasing approximately 80 pieces of clothing with special activity funds during former President Moon’s tenure. At the time, Cheong Wa Dae stated, "As the spouse of the President, no national budget, including special activity funds, was allocated or used for the purpose of purchasing clothing."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.