Prosecutors have appealed a lower court’s acquittal of political broker Myung Tae-kyun and former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Young-sun on charges of violating political funds laws, according to a statement released by the Changwon District Prosecutors Office on Wednesday.
The appeal centers on allegations that Myung and Kim engaged in illicit dealings related to Kim’s candidacy in the 2022 parliamentary election for the Changwon City Council’s Ui-chang district. Prosecutors allege that Myung facilitated the transfer of 80.7 million won (approximately $60,000 USD) through Kim’s accountant, Kang Hye-kyung, in exchange for preferential treatment in securing the nomination. They too contend that Myung and former Future Korea Research Institute President Kim Tae-yeol received 240 million won (approximately $180,000 USD) from candidates vying for positions in the June 2022 local elections in exchange for promises of support.
The Changwon District Court acquitted both Myung and Kim on February 5th, citing a lack of evidence demonstrating a direct link between the funds received and any explicit agreement regarding the nomination process. The court stated that “there is no evidence to recognize any promise regarding the nomination between Myung and Kim,” according to reports from Yonhap News Agency. Myung was, although, sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for one year, on a separate charge of attempting to conceal evidence by deleting mobile phone data.
Prosecutors are challenging both the acquittal on the political funds charges and the leniency of the sentence for the evidence tampering conviction. The appeal asserts that the lower court erred in its assessment of the facts and misapplied legal principles. During the initial trial, prosecutors had sought a five-year prison sentence for both Myung and Kim on the political funds charges, and a one-year sentence for Myung related to the evidence concealment.
The court’s initial ruling acknowledged that Myung had worked as a “general director” within Kim’s office and that the funds transferred appeared to be compensation for his work, rather than an illegal payment for political favors. The court also noted the absence of evidence suggesting the funds were transferred through illicit channels. However, prosecutors maintain that the circumstances surrounding the transactions indicate a clear quid pro quo.
The case has drawn significant attention due to its potential implications for President Yoon Suk-yeol, given the alleged involvement of individuals connected to his administration. The appeal is expected to lead to a protracted legal battle, with a focus on establishing whether a concrete agreement existed between Myung, Kim, and other involved parties regarding the exchange of funds for political influence. A date for the appellate court hearing has not yet been announced.