Kang Sun-woo Returns for Police Questioning Over Alleged Nomination Bribe After Two Weeks, With Timing of Refund at Center of Probe

[Financial News] Independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo has appeared before police again over allegations that she received 100 million won as a nomination bribe. This is her first additional appearance in about two weeks, since her initial questioning on the 20th of last month.
Kang arrived at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Metropolitan Investigation Unit building in Mapo District, Seoul, at around 9:32 a.m. on the 3rd. Speaking briefly to reporters, she said, "I would like to once again apologize to the people for causing concern over this matter," adding, "I will be sincere, thorough, and do my very best in today’s questioning."
However, she did not answer questions from reporters such as whether she had ever received political donations under borrowed names from an associate of former Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Kyung; whether she knew there was cash in the shopping bag when she received it from Kim; whether the 100 million won was in fact used as a deposit for a jeonse lease; and whether she would be willing to give up her parliamentary immunity from arrest if police seek an arrest warrant. She proceeded directly to the interrogation room without responding.
Police are focusing on whether Kang received 100 million won from former Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Kyung in June 2022, ahead of the local elections, as a bribe in exchange for securing a party nomination. Key issues in the investigation include: whether Kang personally received the money; whether she was present when the funds were handed over; how the timing of the refund relates to the nomination process; and whether the money can be recognized as consideration for the nomination.
On these points, the statements of Kang, her former office director, identified only by the surname Nam, and former councilor Kim differ. Kim is reported to have told investigators that he personally met Kang near the Hyatt Hotel in Yongsan District, Seoul, in January 2022 and handed her a shopping bag containing 100 million won. Nam initially denied that any money had been received, but later changed his account and reportedly stated that the funds were used as Kang’s personal jeonse deposit.
Kang, for her part, has consistently denied any quid pro quo for the nomination, insisting, "I did not know it was cash, and as soon as I was informed, I ordered that it be returned."
Investigators are paying particular attention to the period around the time Kang claims she ordered the money to be "returned." Around that time, within the Candidate Nomination Management Committee, there were strong calls for former councilor Kim to be granted an uncontested nomination. Despite owning multiple homes and thus potentially being subject to disqualification under the Democratic Party’s nomination rules, Kim ultimately received a sole candidacy. Whether there is a causal link between Kang’s claim of returning the funds and the actual nomination process has emerged as a central question in the probe.
Police have already summoned former councilor Kim and Nam four times each for questioning. After determining that further questioning of Kang was necessary following her appearance last month, they called her in again for additional investigation on this day.
Meanwhile, police are also conducting a parallel investigation into various corruption allegations surrounding independent lawmaker Kim Byung-ki. Kim has been accused in multiple complaints, including allegations of receiving a nomination bribe, intervening in his second son’s transfer to Soongsil University, and involvement in his spouse’s alleged misuse of a corporate credit card at the Dongjak District Council and efforts to quash the related investigation.
In connection with the probe into Kim Byung-ki, investigators are tracking down the whereabouts of a "safe that had been used to store important items." They believe securing this safe could become a major turning point in the investigation. However, police have also indicated that "because there are multiple complaints, we must first complete the related inquiries before it becomes possible to summon Kim for questioning."
425_sama@fnnews.com Reporter Choi Seung-han Reporter