Kim Geon-hee's Alleged Involvement in Candidate Nomination Investigation Intensifies

On the 8th, the special prosecutor's team conducted a search and seizure at the home of Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the People Power Party in relation to the investigation into Kim Geon-hee's alleged involvement in candidate nominations.

This is the first time that Rep. Yoon has been subject to a compulsory investigation in this case, indicating that the special prosecutor's investigation is intensifying.

The special prosecutor's team began the search and seizure early in the morning, covering a total of more than 10 locations, including Rep. Yoon's residence.

Included in the targets of the investigation are the homes of former lawmaker Kim Young-sun in Changwon, Gyeongnam, and former chief prosecutor Kim Sang-min. It is also reported that investigative personnel have been dispatched to the National Assembly.

Former lawmaker Kim Young-sun has been indicted for allegedly soliciting nominations for the by-elections in June 2022 from former President Yoon Seok-youl and his wife through political broker Myung Tae-kyun and for delivering approximately 80 million won of her salary to him.

At that time, Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun was serving as the chair of the People Power Party's Candidate Management Committee.

Details of Candidate Nomination Involvement Revealed in Transcripts

According to previously released phone call transcripts, former President Yoon Seok-youl appears to have said to Myung Tae-kyun on May 9, 2022, the day before the People Power Party's by-election candidate nominations were announced, "I have been working hard since the primaries for Kim Young-sun, so I told them to take care of her, but there are a lot of voices. In the party," and added, "I'll talk to Sang-hyun (Rep. Yoon) one more time. He is the chair of the candidate nomination committee."

The former president and his wife are facing allegations that they received free public opinion surveys from Myung and assisted in the nomination of former lawmaker Kim in the National Assembly by-election held that same year.

According to the investigation results, it is estimated that Myung conducted a total of 81 illegal public opinion surveys.

The special prosecutor's team plans to analyze the materials secured in this search to determine whether former President Yoon actually intervened in the nominations through Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun.

There are also predictions that, as soon as the data analysis is completed, key individuals such as Rep. Yoon, former lawmaker Kim, and Myung will be summoned.

Meanwhile, the special prosecutor's team has recently taken over a case involving former chief prosecutor Kim Sang-min pertaining to violations of election finance laws during the 22nd general elections and plans to investigate Kang Hye-kyung, the initial informant in the case, as a witness.

Image sources: Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the People Power Party / News1, former President Yoon Seok-youl and his wife / News1