Kang Hyekyung, Whistleblower in the "Myung Taegyun Gate" Case,
Appears as Witness for Special Prosecutor's Investigation
Kang Hyekyung (center), the first whistleblower in the 'Myung Taegyun suspicion' case, is responding to reporters' questions as she arrives with lawyer Moon Geonil at the special prosecutor's office set up in the KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 16th for a witness investigation by the Kim Gunhee special prosecutor. Photo by Yonhap News
The special prosecutor team led by Min Jungki, which is investigating allegations surrounding Kim Gunhee, announced that they are currently coordinating the schedule for summoning Kim Beomsoo, founder of Kakao, in connection with the so-called "Butler Gate" case.
On the 16th, special prosecutor Oh Junghui stated, "Korea Securities Finance and Kiwoom Securities will appear at 10 a.m. tomorrow. HS Hyosung will appear at 10 a.m. next Monday due to an overseas business trip. We are still coordinating the appearance date for Kakao Mobility."
The special prosecutor team plans to summon Kim Beomsoo, founder of Kakao; Cho Hyunsang, Vice Chairman of HS Hyosung; Yoon Changho, former CEO of Korea Securities Finance; and Kim Ikrae, former Chairman of Daou Kiwoom Group, as witnesses for questioning.
The team is simultaneously analyzing seized materials and conducting witness investigations related to allegations of preferential treatment, including changes to the Yangpyeong Expressway route.
Additionally, on this day, the special prosecutor team summoned Kang Hyekyung, the first whistleblower in the "Myung Taegyun Gate" case, as a witness for questioning. Upon arriving at the prosecutor's office, Kang stated, "I hope that the special prosecutor will reveal the whole truth."
Kang's attorney submitted a box to the special prosecutor containing items labeled "Myung Taegyun PC, one Kang Hyekyung HDD (hard disk drive), and two SSDs (solid-state drives), original copies."
The attorney explained, "We are submitting these materials to ensure that the special prosecutor can use all the evidence provided by the whistleblower and to fundamentally prevent the possibility that related defendants might evade charges in court by disputing the evidence on legal grounds."
Kang previously served as deputy director of Mirae Korea Research Institute, a public opinion research firm effectively run by so-called "political broker" Myung Taegyun, and was also the accounting manager for former lawmaker Kim Youngseo. Kang is the first whistleblower regarding allegations such as the former President Yoon's couple's involvement in nomination interference, in which Myung was implicated. The schedule for summoning former lawmaker Kim Youngsun is still being coordinated.
Kang has also appeared as a witness for questioning by both the prosecution and the police regarding suspicions of proxy payments for opinion poll expenses involving former Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo and Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon.
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