Democratic Party Files Police Complaint Against Hong Junpyo Over Alleged Poll Payment Scandal

Press Conference by the "Myung Taegyun Gate" Fact-Finding Task Force

On April 24, the Democratic Party of Korea filed a police complaint against former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo on charges of "illegal receipt of political funds" in connection with the alleged "Myung Taegyun poll payment scandal." The party also called for travel bans and summons for those involved.

On the 20th, at the ASSA Art Hall in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Hong Junpyo, candidate of Group B, is speaking at the first round group debate of the People Power Party's 21st presidential candidate primary. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

The Democratic Party's "Myung Taegyun Gate" Fact-Finding Task Force, led by Seo Youngkyo, held a press conference at the National Assembly that day, announcing, "We are filing a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against former Mayor Hong Junpyo, former Gyeongnam Development Corporation President Park Jaeki, and former Daegu City official Choi Yonghui."

The task force stated, "According to public interest whistleblower Kang Hyekyung, during the 21st general election, the poll costs related to former Mayor Hong Junpyo were paid on his behalf by former President Park Jaeki, and including payments made under borrowed names, the total reached 20 million won."

The task force continued, "According to the 'Hong Junpyo Poll Costs and Payment Status' compiled by Ms. Kang, the 2020 commissioned poll was reportedly paid in cash. In addition, three poll payment invoices from the Future Korea Research Institute, which have been disclosed to the media, all pertain to polls conducted in the Suseong-eul district of Daegu in March and early April 2020, with a total amount billed of approximately 56 million won."

The task force also explained that the "Choi Yonghui former Daegu City official poll payment case" is included in the complaint. They stated, "From the 2021-2022 20th presidential primary through the local elections, Mr. Choi allegedly commissioned undisclosed polls from the Future Korea Research Institute on more than 10 occasions, and paid for a total of 12 polls, amounting to about 43.7 million won, under the name of his acquaintance Park Gipyo."

Regarding allegations that Mr. Choi leaked the People Power Party's Daegu member registry, the task force said, "Choi Yonghui leaked the party member registry without authorization and, through illegal polling activities such as 'number mixing,' distorted or caused the risk of distorting the People Power Party primary voting results. This may constitute the crime of obstruction of business against the People Power Party Candidate Nomination Committee under Article 314, Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Act."

Seo Youngkyo, the head of the task force, emphasized, "It is reported that the investigation into Hong Junpyo is currently being conducted by the Daegu Metropolitan Police. However, there have not been proper search and seizures, nor have travel bans been properly enforced. We urge that the case be transferred and investigated by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency."

Democratic Party lawmaker Yeom Taeyoung, speaking to reporters after the press conference, said, "The prosecution has reportedly obtained testimony that, during the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election, Jeon Gwangsam, Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Society, connected Myung Taegyun with media outlets to report poll results." He added, "According to the testimony of Kim Taeyeol, head of the Future Korea Research Institute, Myung Taegyun said he met directly with the former secretary at Oh Sehoon's campaign office."

Representative Yeom added, "In fact, five public polls were conducted during the Seoul mayoral by-election through the media outlets introduced at that time. The former secretary, a former journalist, is known to have extensive connections in the media and a close relationship with Mayor Oh Sehoon."