“At a Time Eight Months Before the Presidential Election, When the Outcome Was Difficult to Predict”
It has been confirmed that the prosecution has cleared Myung Taegyun of charges due to insufficient evidence regarding allegations that he received 200 million won in exchange for promising to secure a position for the son of a prominent businessman from Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, in the presidential office.
According to the non-prosecution decision disclosed by Myung's side on April 28, the Criminal Division 4 of the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office (headed by Chief Prosecutor Kim Hokyung) in February dismissed charges of fraud and violations of the Attorney-at-Law Act against Myung, former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Youngsun, and Kim Taeyeol, former head of the Future Korea Research Institute, citing insufficient evidence.
Previously, businessman Kim from Andong transferred 200 million won to the accounts of former director Kim Taeyeol and Kang Hyekyung between July 19 and 23, 2021. Of this amount, Kim claimed that 30 million won was for the cost of a talk concert event hosted by former People Power Party leader Lee Junseok, while the remaining 170 million won was a loan that was not repaid. Kim filed a fraud complaint against Kim Taeyeol, Myung, and others. Kang later revealed that 100 million won of this amount was actually a payment for a request to have an acquaintance, referred to as A, hired in the presidential office. In fact, A was hired as an administrator in the presidential office in April last year, after having worked on former President Yoon's election campaign.
However, the prosecution determined that there was no evidence indicating that Myung was involved in this hiring request. In the non-prosecution decision, the prosecution stated, "Kim Taeyeol's testimony does not clearly identify the recipient of the request, and thus, it is insufficient to acknowledge the alleged facts based solely on parts of his testimony."
The prosecution further explained, "Rather, considering that the testimony and financial transactions presented as evidence occurred about eight months before the next presidential election?when it was difficult to predict whether any particular candidate would run or win?it cannot be ruled out that the funds were provided as a loan." The prosecution concluded, "It is difficult to definitively state that the 100 million won was given for the purpose of a request or solicitation."
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