Gominjung KBS Radio Interview
"If Kim Nam-guk Agrees to 'Leave the Party,' Party Investigation Possible"
Ko Min-jung, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said regarding Rep. Kim Nam-guk, who is embroiled in allegations of holding and investing in large amounts of cryptocurrency and has left the Democratic Party, "If Rep. Kim Nam-guk agrees, further investigation is certainly possible."
Ko appeared on KBS Radio's 'Joo Jin-woo Live' on the 15th and said, "The most discussed topic at yesterday's reform party meeting was the party's response to the cryptocurrency (coin) issue."
Regarding concerns that Rep. Kim might refuse a fact-finding investigation, Ko said, "I think he will not refuse," adding, "(Rep. Kim) is someone with a special affection for the party."
Earlier that day, Rep. Kim appeared on the YouTube channel 'Kim Eo-jun's Humility is Difficult News Factory' and apologized for allegations of trading coins even during National Assembly standing committee sessions, saying, "I apologize to many citizens, fellow lawmakers, and party members, and I am reflecting and reconsidering without any excuse."
Regarding the amount traded at the time, Rep. Kim said, "It was such a small amount that I don't remember exactly. About a few thousand won." He also claimed that the coin allegations are a "political attack."
In response, Ko said, "On the one hand, experts say that due to the nature of the coin system, there inevitably are many transaction records," but added, "Hearing that, I wondered if he really traded so much that he can't remember. I don't think any explanation is convincing to the public right now."
Regarding Rep. Kim's claim that the coin allegations are a political attack by the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, Ko said, "I think that is inappropriate," adding, "We must leave room for the public to judge whether this is excessive leaking by the prosecution or a targeted investigation. I wonder if it is right for the person involved to define this themselves."
Finally, Ko bowed her head and apologized for the recent series of allegations surrounding the party, saying, "We are truly sorry. We sincerely apologize a hundred times, even a thousand times, for the money envelope issue, the coin issue, and for not responding promptly to all these matters."
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