"Not in Exchange for Nomination" ... Former Goryeong Mayoral Candidate Denies Giving Cash to Myung Taekyun's Side

"I did not give money in exchange for a party nomination."

On May 26, during a court hearing, former Goryeong County mayoral candidate A, who has been indicted on charges of providing illegal political funds amounting to hundreds of millions of won to Myung Taekyun, former lawmaker Kim Youngsun, and former Mirae Korea Research Institute director Kim Taeyeol, stated this in court.

On this day, A appeared as a witness in the fifth hearing of the case, presided over by the 4th Criminal Division of the Changwon District Court (Judges Kim Intaek, Kang Woong, and Won Boram).

When asked, "Why did you give 120 million won to Kim Taeyeol, former director of the Mirae Korea Research Institute?" A responded, "Kim had a dream of growing his company significantly. However, he said he lacked funds, so I lent him the money as operating capital for his company."

A further emphasized, "I lent the money to Kim out of goodwill; it was not given to Myung in exchange for a party nomination," and drew a clear line by stating, "The nomination for Goryeong County mayor is decided by the Gyeongbuk Provincial Party Chairperson of the People Power Party, the local National Assembly member, and the nomination committee chairperson and members."

A also remarked, "How could Myung give out a nomination?" and added, "At most, he could provide some election-related strategies, but the nomination is not something Myung can decide."

Myung Taekyun (center) is facing the press immediately after the trial related to the violation of the Political Funds Act. Photo by Se Ryeong Lee

Additionally, A explained, "Kim is running a water meter business in Haman, and he said he would repay the money when funds related to that business came in March," and added, "Because we had built trust over the past two years, I lent the money without interest."

A continued, "I got back 60 million won from Kim, but I have not received the rest because he keeps saying he is unwell," and added, "I was about to give up on collecting the money because it seemed he had no intention of repaying, but then I heard that Kim owns two houses and even a quarry. I have decided to get my money back."

Regarding the fact that there was no set repayment date or interest when first lending money to Kim, A said, "Later, when Kim came to the office, we wrote a new IOU with a specified repayment date," and added, "I did not specify interest because I did not give the money all at once and I trusted him."

On the reason for handing over the money in cash rather than by bank transfer, A stated, "Kim insisted that he needed cash," and added, "Looking back, I think it was for his personal use."

A was indicted along with B, who was a preliminary candidate for Daegu City Council during the 2022 nationwide local elections, on charges of each handing over 120 million won in exchange for a party nomination recommendation.