Investigation into Election Interference by the Yoon Couple Intensifies

The special investigation team led by Min Jung-ki, probing allegations related to Kim Geon-hee, conducted searches on July 8 at over ten locations, including the homes and offices of People Power Party members Yoon Sang-hyun, former lawmaker Kim Young-sun, and former prosecutor Kim Sang-min. This follows the initiation of the investigation on July 2, which has already uncovered suspicions of stock manipulation involving Samboo Construction and preferential treatment in the route change of the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway, now extending to allegations of election interference by former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife.

Yoon Sang-hyun is accused of obstructing the nomination process while serving as the chair of the nomination management committee during the June 2022 local elections and the concurrent National Assembly by-elections. A transcript released by the Democratic Party reveals that on May 9, the day before the announcement of the nomination results, former President Yoon told Myung Tae-kyun, a political broker, to ensure Kim Young-sun received a nomination, stating, "Kim Young-sun has been working hard since the presidential primary, so let’s give her the nomination, but there’s a lot of talk in the party. I’ll talk to Sang-hyun again."

Previously, prosecutors have been investigating whether former President Yoon exerted pressure to secure a nomination for Kim Young-sun in the Changwon, Uichang district in exchange for receiving illegal polling results from Myung on 81 occasions leading up to the 2022 presidential election.

Former prosecutor Kim Sang-min is under suspicion of attempting to secure a nomination for Kim Young-sun’s district through Kim Geon-hee ahead of the April 2022 general elections. Myung claimed through his lawyer in February that Kim Geon-hee had asked Kim Young-sun to support Kim Sang-min, stating, "He worked hard on the investigation into Cho Kuk. Please help him win in Changwon, Uichang." Kim Young-sun attempted to relinquish her district to seek a nomination in Gimhae Gap but was unsuccessful. Under the leadership of Han Dong-hoon, the emergency response committee of the People Power Party, both individuals failed to secure nominations. Subsequently, Kim Sang-min was appointed as a legal advisor to the National Intelligence Service in August of the same year, and prosecutors plan to investigate the circumstances surrounding his appointment.

Separately, the special investigation team also conducted searches at the National Police Agency and Chuncheon Police Station. This is related to an ongoing investigation into allegations that leaders of the Unification Church, including Chairman Han Hak-ja, engaged in overseas gambling worth 600 billion won at a Las Vegas casino, with suspicions that key figures close to Yoon Suk-yeol intervened to suppress the investigation. The special investigation team has secured recordings in which former Unification Church World Headquarters leader Yoon Young-ho stated, "The highest authorities said to prepare for a possible search and seizure under the Foreign Exchange Management Act," and that the police's awareness of the investigation was communicated by key figures close to Yoon.

Additionally, the special investigation team for the Marine Corps is set to summon Kim Tae-hyo, former first deputy director of the National Security Office and considered a close aide to former President Yoon in security matters, for questioning on July 11. Kim is under investigation for allegedly exerting external pressure on the Marine Corps investigation team, among other charges.