On the 31st, Nam Tae-kyun appeared for questioning by the special investigation team regarding the 'allegations of interference in the nomination'.
Nam arrived at the special investigation team's office located in the KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, Seoul, as a suspect for the charge of bribery around 10 a.m. on that day. Nam is scheduled to appear before the special investigation team again on the 1st of next month.
Before entering the special investigation, Nam told reporters, "I want to verify and learn what the truth and facts are today and tomorrow at the special investigation team." He played a recording of a statement made by the whistleblower Kang Hye-gyeong during the National Assembly audit last October, using his mobile phone, and said, "How could Ms. Kang Hye-gyeong make so many lies? How can you deceive 50 million citizens in the National Assembly audit?"
Nam is suspected of providing free opinion polls to former President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife during the last presidential election and, in return, assisting former lawmaker Kim Young-sun in receiving nominations for the 2022 by-election.
In connection with this allegation, Nam was indicted last December for violating the Political Funds Act and is undergoing trial. He is accused of violating the Political Funds Act by receiving 80.7 million won from former lawmaker Kim in exchange for assisting her with her nomination. He is also suspected of receiving 120 million won each from preliminary candidates Bae and Lee, who were preparing to run in the June 2022 local elections.
Meanwhile, the special investigation team believes that former President Yoon's side gained financial benefits by not paying the expenses for the opinion polls. Accordingly, the special investigation team applied bribery charges to the former President and his wife, and charges of bribery to Nam.