Former lawmaker Youngsun Kim, who is currently on trial for alleged violations of the Political Funds Act, has filed accusations against his former accounting officer, Hye Kyung Kang, as well as members of the media.
On the morning of the 26th, ahead of his trial at the Changwon District Court in Gyeongnam, Kim held a press conference and announced that he had filed criminal complaints and accusations against Kang, four media personnel, and one lawyer for charges including defamation, embezzlement, breach of trust, and theft.
Former National Assembly member Youngsun Kim (left) is holding a press conference in front of the courtroom building of Changwon District Court to accuse Hye Kyung Kang, who was his accounting officer, and journalists. Photo by Se Ryeong Lee
He stated, "I believed the accounting officer was handling the accounting work properly, and aside from giving money as requested by the accounting officer, I was unaware of the overall situation."
He explained, "After my term as a National Assembly member ended on May 31, 2022, Kang took all the documents from the office and did not hand them over. While I was in the detention center and received the investigation records, I was able to learn about the case to some extent."
Kim asserted, "I conducted my election campaign strictly in accordance with the election law, while Kang siphoned off money using 16 different methods. This case involves me being extorted and embezzled from in various ways through 16 different methods."
He strongly criticized Kang, saying, "When it comes to political fund crimes, there is no one as vicious as Kang in terms of the variety of methods used to commit the offenses."
He continued, "A key point in the indictment is that some of the money that went from me to Kang was then passed on to Taegyun Myung. Myung's case and mine are being handled by Criminal Division 4 of this court, while Kang's case is with Criminal Division 2."
He added, "Even though the relationship between Myung and me would be severed without Kang, the cases are being handled separately. This is because the allegations of accounting fraud against Kang conflict with the contents of Criminal Division 4. As a result, my right to cross-examination is being restricted."
Regarding the computer reported on by Kang in collaboration with certain media outlets, he pointed out, "The computer was used for office work in the office of National Assembly member Youngsun Kim, and the ownership belongs to me. The media is reporting using stolen property that Kang obtained through theft."
Photographs of the check and withdrawal slip suspected as concrete evidence of the alleged payment of polling costs presented by former lawmaker Youngsun Kim's side. Photo by Seryeong Lee
Kim also referenced reports alleging that Taegyun Myung, who effectively ran the Future Korea Research Institute, received a payment of 100 million won for polling costs from Park, the former president of Gyeongnam Development Corporation and a close associate of former Daegu mayor Junpyo Hong, during the National Assembly by-election in June 2022.
Kim disclosed photographs of two checks suspected as concrete evidence in the alleged payment of polling costs.
The photographs show one check for 50 million won issued by Woori Bank's Daegu Jungdong branch in April 2022 and a withdrawal slip for a check of the same amount issued by NH Nonghyup Bank in September 2020.
Previously, Kim, the former director of the Future Korea Research Institute, and Kang claimed that, under Myung's instructions, this money was used for Youngsun Kim's campaign expenses in the Changwon Uichang by-election. However, Kim's side denied any involvement, stating, "There is no connection."
Kim's side countered that Park, the former president of Gyeongnam Development Corporation, gave the money to the former director of the Future Korea Research Institute, who then passed it to Kang, and Kang used it.
He criticized, "Despite the fact that I was only extorted and slandered, I am being held in detention while claiming my innocence, whereas former Daegu mayor Junpyo Hong, who actually benefited, is enjoying himself in Hawaii. What kind of judiciary splits a single case into two and prevents a proper defense?"
He said, "All I did was give money because the accounting staff said they would settle the accounts. But that staff member delayed providing a settlement statement for two years, despite my requests for details on the source of the money, how the campaign funds were used, and how much should be repaid. Now, they claim I never asked for the accounting records."
He added, "Even when I asked for an accountant from Busan to organize the records, they refused, saying the materials were internal, and now they say I never requested them."
Kim stated, "I am demanding a thorough investigation," and added, "There has never been a case as unjust as mine."
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