Anchor: Myung Tae-kyun, a power broker and key figure in a high-profile scandal involving the president and the first lady, has appeared for questioning as a suspect in a 2022 political funding case. Promising to faithfully cooperate with the prosecution’s investigation, Myung denied accepting even a penny of illegal political funds. 
Kim Bum-soo has more. 

Report: Suspected to have brokered a candidate nomination, self-proclaimed political consultant Myung Tae-kyun appeared at the prosecutors’ office in Changwon on Friday morning. 

Surrounded by reporters, Myung apologized.

[Sound bite: MyungTae-kyun (Korean-English)]
“I am embarrassed and ashamed, and I apologize to the public for my imprudent words and behavior. I will faithfully cooperate with the prosecution’s investigation.”
(Reporter: Did you receive help from the presidential couple to get former Rep. Kim Young-sun nominated?)
“I will explain it to the prosecution."

Allegedly using his ties with the president and the first lady, the 54-year old power broker is accused of accepting about 90 million won, or about 65-thousand U.S. dollars, from former ruling party lawmaker Kim Young-sun.

[Sound bite: Myung Tae-kyun (Korean-English)]
"I would like to say just one thing. If they look at the flow of cash, this case will be resolved soon. I have not even received a penny.” 

The main opposition Democratic Party recently released a brief voice recording of what is believed to be a telephone conversation between Myung and then-President-elect Yoon Suk Yeol discussing Kim’s nomination as a candidate before the 2022 by-elections.  

After winning a parliamentary seat in the Changwon area, Kim again campaigned for the nomination ahead of this year’s general elections and is suspected to have sought assistance from Myung.

In a nationally televised news conference the previous day, Yoon acknowledged having spoken with Myung, but denied he or his wife played any role in the nomination of candidates. 

[Sound bite: President Yoon Suk Yeol (Korean-English)] 29:30 
“Regarding Mr. Myung Tae-kyun, I have not done anything inappropriate and I have nothing to hide.”

Kim Young-sun, the former ruling People Power Party lawmaker who allegedly paid Myung, was not nominated to run in this year’s election. 
Kim Bum-soo, KBS World Radio News.