Kang Hye-kyung Admits to Requesting Loan from Oh Se-hoon's Supporter

On November 25, 2024, Kang Hye-kyung confirmed that she had indeed asked for a loan from Kim, a supporter of Oh Se-hoon, last month. This admission comes amid allegations raised by political broker Myung Tae-kyun, who claimed that during the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election, he provided Kim with unpublished polling results in exchange for money.

A media outlet previously reported that Kang sent a text message to Kim on October 28 at around 9:20 AM, requesting 10 million won. Speaking to the press around 11:12 AM as she arrived at the prosecutor's office, Kang explained her relationship with Kim, stating, "Since late 2021, I had been in discussions with him about conducting polling-related business, and we have developed a trusting relationship through frequent communication. I reached out because I was in a bit of a hurry."

Kang had earlier disclosed that Kim deposited 33 million won into her account during the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election, which she claims was payment for the unpublished polling data provided to Oh Se-hoon's campaign. She stated, "I have submitted all materials related to the polling to the prosecution."

Additionally, Kang mentioned that the Yeouido Research Institute had commissioned the Future Korea Research Institute to conduct polling on two occasions, specifically regarding the ministerial appointment confirmations and early voting for the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections. At that time, the head of the Yeouido Research Institute was former lawmaker Ji Sang-wook, who has been found to have communicated with Myung via KakaoTalk.

Regarding allegations that businessman A from Gyeongbuk solicited Myung for his son's employment, Kang stated, "I understand that Myung received a request to help A's son get a job at the Blue House. Given Myung's significant influence right after Yoon Suk-yeol's election, it seems likely that he discussed A's son's employment on the spot."

Meanwhile, the Changwon District Prosecutor's Office has summoned Myung as a suspect for questioning. Myung's legal representative noted, "Today's investigation is focused on allegations of violating the Political Funds Act. There were no questions regarding the previous allegations about A's son's employment or the polling related to Oh Se-hoon. We have completed the drafting of Myung's request for a review of his detention and are currently revising and supplementing it."

The prosecution is also investigating two preliminary candidates for local elections who are accused of giving Myung 24 million won in exchange for nominations.