Investigation into Kim Geon-hee: Former Lawmaker Summoned

The special investigation team led by Min Jung-ki, probing allegations involving Kim Geon-hee, the spouse of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, has summoned former lawmaker Kim Young-sun of the People Power Party regarding the 'Myung Tae-kyun election interference allegations.' On July 16, legal sources reported that the special prosecutor's office has notified Kim of her summons and is currently coordinating a schedule. However, Kim has indicated that she may not be able to attend immediately due to ongoing legal proceedings related to violations of political funding laws at the Changwon District Court. She was indicted last November for allegedly soliciting 80.7 million won from Myung in exchange for election support.

Previously, on July 8, the special investigation team conducted searches at the homes of People Power Party members, including Yoon Sang-hyun and former chief prosecutor Kim Sang-min, as part of the same investigation. All individuals involved are linked to allegations of election interference concerning the 2022 by-elections and the April 10 general elections.

The Yoon couple is accused of facilitating Kim Young-sun's candidacy in the 2022 by-elections in exchange for receiving free opinion polls from Myung, who is described as a 'political broker.' It is reported that Myung conducted illegal opinion polls on 81 occasions during this process.

According to previously released phone call transcripts, on May 9, 2022, the day before the announcement of the People Power Party's by-election nominations, former President Yoon was heard telling Myung, 'I’ve been working hard for Kim Young-sun since the primaries, so please help her out. There’s a lot of talk about it in the party.' He also mentioned that he would speak again with Yoon Sang-hyun, who was the head of the nomination committee.

Additionally, the special prosecutor's office plans to summon Kang Hye-kyung, the former vice president of the Future Korea Research Institute, who first revealed the election interference allegations. Kang claims that with the help of former President Yoon, Kim Young-sun was able to secure her candidacy in Changwon, and that Myung provided 81 opinion poll results to Yoon's camp for free ahead of the presidential election held in March of that year.