Former Seoul Vice Mayor for Political Affairs Kang Cheol-won and businessman Kim Han-jung, who face allegations of having covered the expense of public opinion polls concerning Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's ties to Myeong Tae-gyun, were summoned by the special counsel investigating Kim Keon-hee on the 25th.
Kang appeared at about 9:30 a.m. at KT Gwanghwamun Building West in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the so-called special counsel's office is located. Asked by reporters, "How many times did you commission polls from Mr. Myeong Tae-gyun?" Kang answered, "Never." Asked whether he reported the poll results to Mayor Oh, Kang said, "I did not."
Kim appeared at the special counsel's office at about 10:20 a.m. Asked, "Is it true you covered the public opinion poll expense at Mayor Oh's request?" Kim denied it, saying, "The notion of 'covering on someone's behalf' itself makes no sense."
The special counsel plans to question them on whether, during the April 7, 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election, they commissioned polls from Myeong's side and received the results, and if so, how the expense was handled.
Mayor Oh is accused of receiving 13 unpublished polls from Myeong's side at the time and having Kim, known as a longtime supporter, cover the expense (violation of the Political Funds Act). Kang, a closest aide to Oh who oversaw day-to-day operations of the campaign, is being identified as the person who communicated with Myeong on Oh's behalf.
Mayor Oh has flatly denied any connection, saying Kim's payment of the expense is unrelated to him. Oh appeared before the special counsel on the 8th with Myeong and underwent an eight-hour face-to-face interrogation, but is said to have maintained his existing position. Kim has also stated that the matter is unrelated to Mayor Oh's campaign.