Prosecutors Conduct Search and Seizure at Gyeongnam Provincial Office and Changwon City Hall Regarding 'Myeong Taegyun Changwon National Industrial Complex Allegations' (Comprehensive)

The prosecution conducted a search and seizure at the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office and Changwon Special City Hall in connection with allegations that Myung Tae-gyun, a key figure suspected of interfering in candidate nominations, was involved in the site selection for the Changwon 2nd National Industrial Complex.

The Changwon District Prosecutors' Office in Gyeongnam began the search and seizure around 9:30 a.m. on the 29th, targeting the Office of the Director of Urban Housing and the Industrial Complex Policy Division at the Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office.

Simultaneously, the prosecution also searched the Audit Office, the Office of the 2nd Deputy Mayor, the Strategic Projects Division, the Office of the Director of Future Strategic Industries, and the Industrial Complex Planning Division at Changwon City Hall.

Gyeongnam Changwon District Prosecutors' Office. Photo by Se-ryeong Lee

The prosecution, which concluded the search and seizure late in the afternoon, is reported to have secured materials related to the selection process of the Changwon 2nd National Industrial Complex site.

Mr. Myung is suspected of having intervened in the process after receiving confidential documents related to the site selection for the new national industrial complex in Changwon.

Earlier, he was arrested and is under investigation on charges of receiving multiple payments from the office of former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Young-sun, who was elected in the Changwon Uichang district during the June 2022 by-elections.

He is also suspected of having conducted opinion polls during President Yoon Suk-yeol’s candidacy period, receiving payment for them, securing Kim Young-sun’s nomination in return, and boasting of his close relationship with First Lady Kim Keon-hee while collecting 240 million KRW from prospective candidates.

The prosecution has detained and is investigating Mr. Myung and former lawmaker Kim on charges of violating the Political Funds Act. They have also summoned and are continuing investigations into Kang Hye-kyung, who was the accounting officer for former lawmaker Kim and raised the allegations, as well as former prospective candidates A and B.