Myeong Taegyun, Kim Youngseon, Kang Hyekyung Rollercoaster Relationship
Many Issues Including Violations of Political Funds Act and Public Official Election Act
The controversy surrounding allegations of interference in candidate nominations involving political broker Myeong Taegyun continues unabated. The so-called "Myeong Taegyun Gate" began with suspicions that First Lady Kim Geon-hee was involved in the nomination process of former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Young-seon. The central figures are Myeong Taegyun, former lawmaker Kim Young-seon, and Kang Hye-kyung, who was Kim’s former aide. Subsequent revelations, recordings, and additional disclosures have amplified the political repercussions. Prosecutors, police, and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) are investigating them.
According to Kang, Myeong played a role in boosting public support for President Yoon Seok-yeol by interacting with then People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok and emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in ahead of the 2022 presidential election, thereby exerting political influence. Kang also appeared as a witness at the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee’s audit. The situation escalated further when Kang’s side mentioned a list of 27 politicians allegedly connected to Myeong.
The tangled relationship among Myeong Taegyun, Kim Young-seon, and Kang Hye-kyung underpins the emergence of this case. Myeong is known as a figure who conducted public opinion polls and devised election strategies based in the Gyeongnam region. He had a long-standing cooperative relationship with Kang. After Kim relocated his constituency to Changwon Uichang, Gyeongnam in 2018 with Myeong’s assistance, the three formed a deeper collaborative bond. Kim was introduced to Kang through Myeong. Kang later served as Kim’s aide and accounting officer.
However, conflicts arose over financial dealings. Kang began exposing the issue, claiming that Kim and Myeong tried to pin related allegations on her. She has been publicizing recordings and other materials provided by Myeong, escalating the controversy.
Legally, the core issue is whether the approximately 90 million won transferred from former lawmaker Kim to Myeong was a bribe for nomination. Kim and Myeong assert it was repayment of a debt, not a bribe. Kang insists it was a bribe. Currently, prosecutors are investigating whether Myeong received help from First Lady Kim Geon-hee to secure Kim’s nomination. The Changwon District Prosecutors’ Office confirmed that Kim transferred half of his salary to Myeong. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office is also investigating allegations of manipulated public opinion polls conducted by Myeong before the presidential election and nomination deal charges based on complaints from civic groups.
While the Changwon District Prosecutors’ Office leads the investigation, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, CIO, and police are cooperating to examine potential violations of the Political Funds Act, Public Official Election Act, and bribery offenses. If suspicions that First Lady Kim interfered in the nomination process are proven true, it could constitute a violation of the Public Official Election Act, triggering significant repercussions across the political sphere.
However, criminal prosecution of a sitting president is constitutionally restricted, so while investigation of the president is possible, indictment can only occur after the term ends, according to prevailing legal interpretations. Nonetheless, if First Lady Kim’s involvement in the nomination is confirmed, the Blue House will inevitably face serious political burdens. Her involvement remains one of the key issues in this case.
In particular, this case may see further fallout as additional Telegram messages and recordings exchanged between Myeong and First Lady Kim could be disclosed. Kang Hye-kyung’s further revelations may also be a variable. Whether prosecutors can uncover the truth of the case based on additional disclosures and evidence, and how the Myeong Taegyun Gate will impact Korean politics, will depend on the results of ongoing investigations.
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