Myeong Tae-gyun Arrives at Changwon District Prosecutors' Office with Cane, Says "I Did Not Receive Even 1 Won"

Myeong Taegyun "This Case Will End Quickly If You Look at the Money Flow"
To 'Additional Exposure' Question, "I Have Never Made Any Exposure"

Yonhap News

Myeong Tae-gyun, a key figure in the 'President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife’s alleged interference in candidate nominations' case, appeared before the prosecution on the 8th. Regarding the charge that he received 90 million won as a bribe from former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Young-sun, Myeong stated, "I did not receive even 1 won."

On the morning of the same day, Myeong appeared at the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office as a suspect in violation of the Political Funds Act. He said, "I feel embarrassed, ashamed, and sorry for my reckless remarks," and added, "I will sincerely cooperate with the prosecution's investigation." He continued, "If you look at the flow of money, the case will be resolved quickly," and emphasized, "I have never received even a single won."

Myeong declined to answer questions about the last time he contacted President Yoon Suk-yeol or how he came to know First Lady Kim Kun-hee. Myeong’s lawyer explained regarding the possibility of additional audio recordings being disclosed, "There are no plans to submit (the recordings), nor is there anything to reveal," and clarified, "It was not my client (Myeong) who disclosed them, but third parties."

Regarding allegations that Myeong was involved in national affairs such as support projects for the Changwon Industrial Complex, he stated, "I created various research documents and policy ideas for Kim Young-sun, a lawmaker representing the local constituency."

On the suspicion that he requested a nomination for former lawmaker Kim Young-sun in the June 2022 by-election, he said, "Recommending a candidate for lawmaker who will work hard out of love for the region is something that not only the president but also ordinary citizens can do."