[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Kim Kyung-hyup, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, proposed to Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, to recommend a member for the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HOCI) recommendation committee and suggested conducting a special prosecutor investigation as demanded by the People Power Party. He also challenged to stake their assembly seats. Kim had invested in the Optimus Fund.
On the 18th, Kim held a press conference and said, "I cannot help but laugh when I see the opposition floor leader talk about a power-type gate. Therefore, once again, I clearly state the truth and propose to Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party."
He added, "First, let’s recommend the opposition candidate for the HOCI recommendation committee, and regarding the special prosecutor investigation results, we will stake our assembly seats and take responsibility. If I, as a member of the Planning and Finance Committee, used undisclosed insider information about this fund or if my investment was part of a power-type corruption gate, I will not only take legal responsibility but also resign my assembly seat."
He continued, "Conversely, if it is confirmed that my investment was a simple investment and not a power-type corruption, then Joo Ho-young, the floor leader, should promise to take responsibility by resigning his assembly seat," pressuring him.
He then said, "If both conditions are met, I will persuade Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader, and the Democratic Party. If you are really confident, let’s do it."
Regarding his investment process, he explained, "In January last year, I subscribed to an 8-month short-term product upon the recommendation of a securities firm employee who usually managed my CMA account, and the actual handling of the transaction was entrusted to the securities firm. Then, the product matured, and I received my investment back."
He added, "A few days ago, I received a phone inquiry from a reporter asking if I had invested in the Optimus Fund. I had invested in a fund last year but did not remember which one, so I checked with the securities firm employee and found out that the fund was Optimus."
Kim said, "At that moment, I felt a chill down my spine. When I argued that I almost lost all my investment, the reply was that even they never dreamed such an accident would happen. That’s all."
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