Yoon: "No Inappropriate Conduct with Myeong Taegyun" Denies Nomination Interference and Poll Manipulation Allegations

Held National Address and Press Conference
"Received Congratulations Calls After Election, But No Further Communication"

President Yoon Suk-yeol held a public address and press conference at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the morning of the 7th, addressing suspicions related to political broker Myung Tae-gyun. He stated, "I cut off contact after the (presidential candidate) primary," and added, "There was nothing inappropriate with Mr. Myung, so there is nothing to hide." He also denied any possibility of Myung's involvement in candidate nomination interference.

On the 7th, citizens are watching President Yoon Seok-yeol's national address in the waiting room of Seoul Station, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

During the conference, President Yoon acknowledged receiving congratulatory calls from Mr. Myung after his election but said they did not communicate afterward. President Yoon explained, "At the beginning of the election, since I knew nothing about politics, there were people who told me it would be good to share certain information when visiting regions," adding, "Of course, I received such advice not only from Mr. Myung but from hundreds of people." He continued, "In the latter half of the primary, when he started discussing issues that should not be involved in, I thought it was not right, but since he was trying to help me, I did not want to be harsh and took his calls."

Regarding allegations of interference in candidate nominations during his president-elect period, he stated that they were untrue. President Yoon said, "During my president-elect period, I was making personnel decisions for ministerial and vice-ministerial positions until 2 a.m., and I had to continuously receive reports on the progress of the transition committee," adding, "I was busier than a high school senior preparing for college entrance exams. Therefore, I could not have been interested in party nominations, nor did I ever tell anyone to nominate a particular person." On suspicions of manipulating opinion polls, President Yoon drew a clear line, saying, "There was no reason to manipulate polls because the results were favorable," and "I have never manipulated anything in my life."

Regarding suspicions that First Lady Kim Keon-hee frequently communicated with Mr. Myung, President Yoon responded, "I told her that after being elected president, the way of communication should be different from before, and I think she has significantly reduced such communication."