[단독] “Polls are pouring in. ”The Korea Research Institute of the Future will set up a fake office and media center in Seoul

Unmasking a Political Backroom Deal: A South Korean Polls Story

A web of intrigue involving a South Korean polling company, alleged political connections, and shadowy media outlets has been revealed, raising concerns about transparency and ethical practices in the country’s political landscape.

At the center of the controversy is Myung Tae-gyun, a figure linked to the 2022 South Korean presidential election and accused of wielding undue influence. He established the Korea Future Research Institute in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, a company specializing in public opinion polling. However, the institute’s activities seemingly extended beyond simply gathering data.

Investigative journalist Hye-kyung Kang revealed that in April 2020, "Mr. Tae-gyun Myung, the real owner of the Korea Future Institute, created a fake Seoul office for the institute, claiming he would earnestly conduct public polls of Seoul politicians." Kang further stated that Myung even established "a fake internet newspaper company," both of which "existed only on paper and did not exist in reality." These entities were reportedly designed to bolster the institute’s image and gain access to crucial political circles in the capital city.

Former Korea Future Research Institute Director Kim Tae-yeol confirmed this deception, stating that Myeong Tae-gyun claimed the institutions were "necessary because we will be closely following the polls of the Yeouido Research Institute and the city of Seoul in the future."

Adding fuel to the fire, the Korea Future Research Institute cleverly circumvented reporting regulations by registering a daily newspaper, "Today Gyeongnam," in June 2019. This allowed them to conduct election polls without disclosing their activities to the National Election Opinion Survey Opinion Committee, a body responsible for monitoring such polls.

They later renamed the newspaper "VOK," an abbreviation for “Voice of KOREA," and expanded their operations throughout South Korea. In a further attempt to legitimize their actions, they registered an online version of "VOK" as a media outlet with the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

However, VOK never actually engaged in any meaningful media activities, raising suspicions about its true purpose.

This elaborate facade ultimately served to obscure the full extent of the Korea Future Research Institute’s polling activities. By operating under the guise of a media organization, they were able to evade scrutiny and potentially influence political campaigns without transparency.

The Changwon District Prosecutor’s Office is currently investigating these allegations, looking into the Korea Future Research Institute’s involvement with elected officials and the potentially illegal tactics employed to gain influence.

The case has sent shockwaves through South Korea, prompting calls for greater accountability and stricter regulations regarding political polling and media representation.

"After the election of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and President Yoon Seok-yeol, Myeong Tae-gyun expected his business to succeed greatly," Kim Tae-yeol confided. "However, they all left from Mr. Myung after being elected, and the business of Mr. Korea Institute in the future and VOK did not go."

The story highlights the potentially insidious nature of political manipulation, particularly within democracies that rely on public opinion and fair elections. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen what broader implications this case might have on South Korea’s political landscape.

2024-12-02 13:13:00
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