Investigation into Kim Geon-hee's Alleged Involvement in Candidate Selection
On April 7, it was confirmed that prosecutors investigating allegations of candidate selection interference involving former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife, Kim Geon-hee, have expressed the need for a face-to-face interview with Kim. She is accused of receiving polling data from political broker Myung Tae-kyun during the last presidential election and allegedly assisting in the candidate selection for former lawmaker Kim Young-sun in the 2022 by-election in exchange for this information.
According to sources, the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office, led by Deputy Chief Prosecutor Lee Ji-hyung, communicated to Kim's representatives in mid-February that an in-person investigation at the prosecutor's office was necessary regarding the allegations of candidate interference. However, Kim's side has not confirmed her attendance, citing ongoing impeachment proceedings against former President Yoon and health issues that may hinder her participation. As a result, a specific investigation schedule has yet to be established.
The investigation is focused on whether Kim Geon-hee played a role in the candidate selection process for Kim Young-sun in the Changwon district during the 2022 by-election. The initial whistleblower, Kang Hye-kyung, claimed that Myung conducted 81 polls for Yoon's camp during the election and received a favor in the form of Kim Young-sun's candidacy instead of a payment of 375.2 million won. A civic group filed a complaint against the Yoon couple for violations of political funding laws last October.
In February, a recording of a phone conversation between Kim Geon-hee and Myung was released by the current affairs magazine SisaIN. In the recording, Kim stated to Myung on May 9, 2022, just a day before Yoon's inauguration, that Yoon had instructed her not to use his name but to push for Kim Young-sun's candidacy, acknowledging opposition from lawmakers Kwon Seong-dong and Yoon Han-hong. Myung responded that it seemed Yoon's intention was to pressure Yoon Sang-hyun to comply, to which Kim assured, "Don't worry too much. It will work out well."
Prosecutors believe that an investigation into former President Yoon is also necessary. A recording released by the Democratic Party last October revealed that Yoon, during a call with Myung the day before his inauguration, expressed his desire for Kim Young-sun's candidacy, stating, "I asked to get Kim Young-sun (nominated), but there are many voices against it in the party." Following the Constitutional Court's ruling on April 4, which upheld Yoon's impeachment, he no longer enjoys immunity from prosecution.
