Seoul: A local court has issued a detention warrant for Kim Ye-seong, a close aide to former first lady Kim Keon Hee, amid intensifying suspicions that he evaded the special counsel's investigation into several allegations connected to Kim. The decision comes as authorities express concerns over Kim Ye-seong's potential to disregard official summons without valid justification.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the special counsel team, headed by Min Joong-ki, revealed that Kim Ye-seong, often referred to as Kim Keon Hee's "butler," is believed to have fled to Vietnam in April. Since then, he has consistently refused to respond to the special counsel's requests for his presence in the ongoing investigation.

The court's ruling has prompted the special counsel to take immediate steps to invalidate Kim's passport, aiming to prevent further evasion. Kim Ye-seong is under scrutiny for allegedly receiving 18 billion won (approximately US$13.1 million) through dubious investments from several companies via his rental car business, IMS, earlier this year.

The case continues to unfold as investigative authorities strive to bring Kim back to the jurisdiction to face charges and clarify the allegations against him.