Kim Sung-tae says "that person" was not involved in the cash-for-summit scandal, denies link to Lee Jae Myung

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[The Financial News] Kim Sung-tae, former chairman of Ssangbangwool Group, claimed on the 28th that Lee Hwa-young, then vice governor for peace of Gyeonggi Province, was involved in the alleged Ssangbangwool cash-for-summit scandal, but that there was no connection to Lee Jae Myung, who was then governor of Gyeonggi Province. He has been indicted and is on trial over the case.
\rKim made the remarks while appearing as a witness at the National Assembly on the same day for the Special Committee on the National Assembly Investigation into Alleged Political Prosecution and Fabricated Indictments by the Yoon Seok-yeol Administration.
\rWhen People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun asked whether he had ever met Lee at the time, Kim replied, "No." On the question of Lee Jae Myung's involvement in the cash-for-summit case, he explained, "Lee Hwa-young and I had a relationship, but I had never seen that person, and I never received any payment, so I denied any accomplice relationship." He said "that person" referred to Lee Jae Myung.
\rKim also commented on the prosecution's investigation at the time, saying, "I am not someone who would be swayed just because young prosecutors pressured me." He added, "The prosecution detained nearly 17 people, including my family and colleagues." He went on to say, "Even bringing kimchi is called aiding a fugitive," and claimed that only those who have not experienced it could never understand the ordeal.
\rThe prosecution indicted Kim on charges including that Gyeonggi Province paid North Korea $5 million for the Smartpan Support Project and $3 million for Lee's trip to North Korea on his behalf. It also brought Lee to trial on bribery and Foreign Exchange Transactions Act violations, but the proceedings were suspended after he was elected president.
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haeram@fnnews.com Lee Hae-ram Reporter