Kim Sung-tae Denies Salmon and Alcohol Party Allegations: "Never Met Lee, Never Received Any Favors"

Comprehensive Special Committee Hearing Held on the 28th
Kim Sung-tae Expresses Psychological Pressure from Prosecution Investigation

Former Ssangbangwool Chairman Sungtae Kim stated at the National Assembly on the 28th regarding allegations of a salmon and alcohol party, "Let me be clear: on May 17, I did not drink alcohol."

On this day, Kim attended the comprehensive hearing on the Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance case, organized by the National Assembly’s Special Committee on the Investigation of Allegations of Political Prosecution Manipulation under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, as a witness. He said, "I am almost 60 years old now, so please stop talking about what I eat or drink."

Former Ssangbangwool Chairman Sungtae Kim is responding to lawmaker questions at the comprehensive hearing held during the 11th plenary session of the National Assembly’s Special Committee on the Investigation of Allegations of Political Prosecution Manipulation under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration on the 28th.

Kim continued to deny all questions from both ruling and opposition lawmakers concerning the alleged salmon and alcohol party throughout the comprehensive hearing, which lasted from morning into the afternoon. In response to questions from Democratic Party lawmaker Yang Bunam, he said, "How could I say I drank when I actually didn't?" and stressed, "I did not drink." He reiterated, "That is not true," in response to People Power Party lawmaker Shin Dongwook's questions as well.

Park, a witness who attended regarding the salmon and alcohol party allegations, stated, "Lee Hwayoung initially claimed the salmon and soju party took place in July, but later changed it countless times to June and May. If I hadn’t bought soju that day with a corporate card to drink, I don’t know what kind of verdict or outcome this case would have had. I feel heartbroken because I believe this all happened due to my own immoral actions."

During the session, Kim spoke about the psychological pressure he faced as his family and colleagues were detained as a result of the prosecution's intense investigation. He also had a confrontation with Prosecutor Lee Yunhwan, who led the investigation against him. In addition, he denied having any criminal partnership with President Lee Jaemyung. In response to questions from Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Geontae, Kim said, "I have never even seen President Lee, nor have I ever received anything in return from him."

Kim also addressed suspicions that the prosecution had covered up allegations of Ssangbangwool stock price manipulation in exchange for his cooperation during the investigation into the North Korea remittance case, stating, "I have never been involved in stock price manipulation." During questioning from People Power Party lawmaker Lee Sanghui, when Lee commented that there was "no specific benefit," Kim agreed and added, "That part is frustrating."

The Democratic Party plans to hold a full session of the special committee on the 30th to adopt the related results report. They will also file complaints against witnesses for perjury and non-attendance. Democratic Party lawmaker Park Sungjoon said, "(This special investigation) confirmed that there was a scheme under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration to remove President Lee, their political opponent." In contrast, People Power Party lawmaker Song Seokjun criticized, "It is illegal and unconstitutional."

Meanwhile, during the hearing, there was conflict between the ruling and opposition parties over demands to check CCTV footage to determine whether Kim had entered the office of Seo Youngkyo, the special committee chair, before the meeting began. Kim stated, "This is the first time I have met Chair Seo." Chair Seo also clarified, "I have never met former Chairman Kim."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.