[Exclusive] Prosecutors Also Summon 'Parolee' Kim Youngsun... Investigating Kim Keonhee's Election Intervention

Jeon Gwangsam and Kim Sangmin Summoned by Myung Investigation Team
Former Lawmaker Kim Youngsun Also Notified to Appear in Seoul
Only Kim Keonhee and Mayor Oh Sehoon Await Summons

Yonhap News

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office investigation team (led by Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Jihyung), which is investigating allegations involving Myung Taegyun, has summoned Jeon Gwangsam, former Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Society, for questioning, and has also notified Kim Youngsun, former People Power Party lawmaker, to appear for questioning.

According to the legal community on April 23, the investigation team plans to question former lawmaker Kim Youngsun regarding whether Kim Keonhee, wife of former President Yoon Sukyeol, intervened in the 2024 general election. Kim Keonhee is suspected of having influenced the nomination of Kim Sangmin, a former prosecutor who ran as a prospective People Power Party candidate in the Uichang district of Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province.

The investigation was prompted by a claim from Myung Taegyun's attorney, who stated in February that Kim Keonhee called former lawmaker Kim Youngsun and said, "Support prosecutor Kim Sangmin so that he is elected. If you do, after the election, you will be given a ministerial post or the position of president of a public enterprise." Prosecutors reportedly secured records showing that Kim Keonhee and Kim Youngsun spoke by phone 11 times during that period. However, Kim Sangmin ultimately did not receive the nomination. On April 18, prosecutors summoned and questioned Kim Sangmin.

On April 22, prosecutors questioned Jeon Gwangsam regarding whether Myung Taegyun was involved in conducting undisclosed opinion polls related to Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon during the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election. Prosecutors believe that Myung Taegyun conducted several opinion polls concerning Mayor Oh and received approximately 30 million won from businessman Kim Hanjeong, an acquaintance of Mayor Oh. It is also suspected that Jeon Gwangsam, a former journalist, may have helped Myung Taegyun and others by identifying or introducing media outlets willing to report on the opinion polls during the election process.

Previously, prosecutors searched Mayor Oh's office and official residence and summoned various members of his campaign staff for questioning. There is speculation among those close to the investigation that only the questioning of Mayor Oh himself remains. Mayor Oh's side maintains that they have never heard of or known about any undisclosed opinion polls and that there is essentially no personal relationship or connection with Myung Taegyun.