Seoul: Prosecutors on Wednesday raided the headquarters of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) as part of an investigation into an influence-peddling scandal linked to the parliamentary by-elections in 2022. The prosecutors searched the planning and organization department at the headquarters to secure material related to the party's nomination of candidates for the 2022 elections. In the afternoon, they plan to search a separate office used by the department inside the National Assembly compound.According to Yonhap News Agency, the scandal centers on allegations that Myung Tae-kyun, a self-proclaimed power broker, took approximately 76 million won (US$54,400) from former PPP Rep. Kim Young-sun in exchange for his help in getting her nominated for the 2022 parliamentary by-elections. The case has garnered significant attention due to allegations that President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee were involved in the nomination process.A former accountant for the former lawmaker testified during a pa rliamentary audit in September that Myung secured Kim Young-sun's nomination by conducting public opinion polls favorable to Yoon ahead of the 2022 presidential election. The main opposition Democratic Party later released a recording of a phone call in which Yoon allegedly suggested to Myung that he had recommended Kim Young-sun to the PPP's nomination committee. This phone call reportedly took place on May 9, 2022, the day before Kim was formally nominated and Yoon assumed office as president.Meanwhile, the Changwon District Court in the southeastern city rejected Myung's request to cancel his pre-trial detention. Myung was arrested earlier this month in connection with the scandal, and he requested the court to review the legality of his detention. However, the judges ruled that there is no reason to cancel the arrest warrant, and Myung will remain under detention through Dec. 5 for a prosecution probe.
- October 12, 2026
