Myeong Taekyun Says "Kim Keonhee Asked Me to Look After Kim Sangmin, but I Refused"

Myeong Taekyun:
"I met Oh Sehoon about seven times"
Appears in Seoul for questioning

Myung Taekyun is answering questions from the press in front of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office on the 29th. The prosecution plans to investigate Mr. Myung regarding allegations of former President Yoon Sukyeol and his wife's interference in nominations. 2025.04.29 Photo by Yoon Dongju

Myeong Taekyun, a political broker implicated in the allegations of former President Yoon Sukyeol and his wife's involvement in nomination interference, appeared before the prosecution on the 29th and stated, "(Mrs. Kim) said, 'Prosecutor Kim Sangmin worked very hard during the Cho Kuk investigation. Please look after him,' but I told her it was not possible."

That morning, as Mr. Myeong appeared at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, he responded to reporters' questions about whether Mrs. Kim was involved in the nomination-related suspicions concerning former Prosecutor Kim by making this statement. Mr. Myeong added, "Instead of looking after former Prosecutor Kim, I suggested to former lawmaker Kim Youngsun that it might be better for her to take a position at a public enterprise or as a minister."

The prosecution suspects that, during last year's general election, Mrs. Kim exerted influence so that former Chief Prosecutor Kim Sangmin would receive the nomination for the Changwon Uichang district in South Gyeongsang Province instead of former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Youngsun. The prosecution reportedly secured records showing that Mrs. Kim and former lawmaker Kim communicated by phone 11 times during a similar period. However, Kim Sangmin did not receive the nomination. Previously, on the 18th, the prosecution summoned and questioned former Prosecutor Kim Sangmin.

Mr. Myeong also expressed strong hostility toward Mayor Oh Sehoon, stating, "I came from Changwon to Seoul to catch Oh Sehoon (the mayor), who inflicted an irreparable wound on my beloved wife and daughter." When asked how many times he had met with Mayor Oh, Mr. Myeong replied, "There are about seven occasions where there are witnesses and evidence." Mayor Oh maintains that he has never met with Mr. Myeong.