Self-proclaimed political broker Myung Tae-kyun leaves Changwon District Court following his arrest warrant hearing, Thursday evening. Hours later, the court issued arrest warrants for Myung and former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Young-sun on charges of violating political funding laws. Yonhap

The arrest of self-proclaimed power broker Myung Tae-kyun is intensifying the political crisis for President Yoon Suk Yeol, who faces allegations of election interference alongside his wife, Kim Keon Hee. The arrest is at the center of a growing scandal that continues to unfold around Myung, according to political watchers, Friday.

Earlier in the day, Changwon District Court issued arrest warrants for Myung and former ruling People Power Party (PPP) lawmaker Kim Young-sun on charges of violating political funding laws. The court cited concerns over evidence tampering as the reason for the arrests.

With both individuals detained, prosecutors are expected to expedite their investigation into an expanding election-peddling scandal involving several high-profile political figures, including the presidential couple.

The investigation could extend beyond funding violations to include allegations that Yoon and his wife interfered in the PPP's primary for the 2022 parliamentary by-elections.

Prosecutors have reportedly gathered evidence, including KakaoTalk messages in which Myung allegedly asked Yoon to assist with the nomination of former PPP lawmaker Kim. Testimonies also suggest that Myung received money from the first lady under the pretext of transportation expenses.

Former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Young-sun leaves Changwon District Court following her arrest warrant hearing, Thursday. Yonhap

Myung, a self-described political broker based in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, is accused of receiving about 90 million won ($65,200) from the former lawmaker in exchange for helping her secure the PPP nomination in the June 2022 parliamentary by-election.

He allegedly assisted her nomination with Yoon's help and conducted favorable polling for him during the presidential campaign as part of a quid-pro-quo arrangement.

The case first drew attention in mid-October when local news outlets reported that Myung, a shadowy figure, had been assisting the president and other key members of the PPP in winning several elections. Myung further thrust himself into the spotlight by publicly revealing screenshots of past text messages with the first lady, in which she appeared to seek his advice during Yoon's presidential campaign.

The scandal intensified following the relevation of a phone call between Myung and Yoon that occurred a day before the president's inauguration in May 2022. During the conversation, Yoon allegedly suggested former PPP member Kim as the party's candidate for the by-election. It is illegal for civil servants, including the president, to interfere in elections.

The president has denied the allegations, claiming that he has "nothing inappropriate or to hide" regarding his connection with Myung.

"I have never asked Myung Tae-kyun to conduct a public opinion survey. I had no reason to manipulate surveys, and since the results were favorable to me, there was no need to alter them. Even if the results had been unfavorable, I have never resorted to manipulating surveys in my life," Yoon said during a Nov. 7 press conference.

Adding to the turmoil, Rep. Lee Jun-seok of the minor opposition Reform Party claimed Thursday that Yoon attempted to influence the June 1 local elections, in addition to the by-elections. Lee, who previously led the PPP during Yoon's presidential campaign, became his political opponent after breaking away from the party in December 2023.

"President Yoon told me to nominate a specific candidate for mayoral elections. He also suggested that someone else should be nominated for a district mayor position in Seoul because the current candidates lacked competitiveness," Lee told reporters.

President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee salute the national flag during a meeting with Korean residents in the Philippines, Oct. 6, during their visit to Manilla. Yonhap

3rd special probe bill targeting first lady

The latest political drama surrounding the presidential couple has prompted opposition parties to push for a special investigation into Kim's alleged role in the scandal.

On Thursday, the opposition-controlled National Assembly passed a bill calling for a special investigation into the first lady, which includes allegations of election interference. This marks the opposition bloc's third attempt to launch a special investigation into Kim, following two previous unsuccessful efforts.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) warned, Friday, that Yoon will face a "tragic end" if he vetoes the bill again.

"If the special probe bill is rejected again, President Yoon will face a tragic end at the hands of an angered public," said DPK floor leader Rep. Park Chan-dae.

"The bill passed yesterday aims to investigate the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation scandal, Kim's relationship with Myung Tae-kyun, and allegations of election fraud, personnel intervention, and state corruption. An overwhelming number of people are demanding a fair and transparent investigation into Kim," Park added.

Kim has been embroiled in allegations of stock price manipulation involving the shares of Deutsch Motors, a BMW dealer. The controversy stems from suspicious trading activities in her financial accounts during 2009-2012.

However, it is widely anticipated that Yoon will veto the latest bill, as he views it as politically motivated.

If the bill is vetoed, a parliamentary revote could take place as early as this month. To override the presidential veto, it requires support from two-thirds of the 300 lawmakers, a challenging task for the opposition bloc unless it secures at least eight votes from the ruling party.