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Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo strongly opposed the investigation into allegations surrounding election funds. On the 30th, he declared on his social media, "If I am at fault, I will go to prison," expressing his dissatisfaction with the investigation. He claimed, "They are conducting a search and imposing a travel ban based on accusations I did not commit, and then playing it up in the media," urging for a direct inquiry to confirm the facts.
He also mentioned that Mr. Myung Tae-kyun acknowledged he had never received polling costs from him, questioning, "Why is it that after dragging this incident for one year and five months, they are now fabricating a story that I created political slush funds through fake transactions?" Hong emphasized the need to halt investigations into the volunteers who assisted him during the investigation, stating, "Do not intimidate powerless volunteers or pursue unfounded facts."
The Daegu Police Agency is investigating allegations that associates of Hong covered polling costs in 2021 and 2022, and it has reportedly uncovered separate criminal circumstances related to Hong. While Hong claims the police investigation is a 'fishing expedition,' the police maintain that they are conducting the investigation in accordance with proper procedures.