Rep. Yoon Han-hong Questioned in Presidential Residence Relocation Favoritism Probe

SEOUL, Aug. 1 (Yonhap) -- The second special counsel team investigating former President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday questioned Rep. Yoon Han-hong of the main opposition People Power Party over allegations that he was involved in favoritism related to the relocation of the presidential residence about four years ago.

The special counsel team questioned Rep. Yoon as a suspect on charges of abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights from 10 a.m. to 7:05 p.m.

Investigators focused on whether the lawmaker intervened in the decision to change the residence site and the selection of the construction contractor.

"The construction work on the presidential residence took place after the presidential transition committee concluded its work and after former President Yoon Suk Yeol took office," Rep. Yoon told reporters before entering the special counsel's office. "I had nothing to do with it."

A previous special counsel team said the lawmaker was involved in the alleged favoritism while serving as the head of a task force on the presidential residence relocation, though it did not indict him due to insufficient investigation time.

The controversy began when 21 Gram, an interior design company without a general construction license, was improperly chosen for the presidential residence's relocation and renovation work, following former President Yoon's election victory in March 2022.

The previous special counsel team suspected that former first lady Kim Keon Hee exerted influence in favor of 21 Gram. Former Vice Land Minister Kim Oh-jin and a former presidential secretary, surnamed Hwang, were indicted by the previous special counsel team last December on abuse of power and other charges in connection with the case.