Controversy Over 'Good Person' in Transcript... Yang Seung-tae: "Kim Man-bae, Someone I Don't Know at All"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Former Chief Justice Yang Seung-tae issued a statement denying allegations that he had a personal relationship with Kim Man-bae, the major shareholder of Hwacheon Daeyu Asset Management.

According to the legal community on the 26th, former Chief Justice Yang sent a text message to his acquaintances around the 24th saying, "I do not know anyone named Kim Man-bae at all. I have never met or spoken with him, and I certainly have never gone hiking with him," adding, "The statements in Kim Man-bae's recorded conversations are completely false, so please do not misunderstand."

Former Chief Justice Yang has drawn attention as he is mentioned in the recorded conversations between accountant Jeong Young-hak and Kim Man-bae. During a conversation with accountant Jeong, Kim said, "He is a very good person." Regarding this, Woo Sang-ho, the head of the Democratic Party's general election campaign headquarters, revealed part of the recording on the 20th, claiming that the "good person" Kim referred to was Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party's presidential candidate. In response, the People Power Party countered that the Democratic Party distorted the recording and that Kim's original words were, "Chief Justice Yang Seung-tae is a very good person," among others.

Former Chief Justice Yang said he received many contacts due to this controversy and stated, "It is disgraceful that my name was mentioned by such a fraudster."

He continued, "I would like to hold a press conference if I could, but I am refraining because it might seem like making a fuss over a baseless lie from a worthless fraudster," adding, "At least I felt I needed to explain to my close acquaintances, so after considering how, I decided to send this text message."

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