Governor Kim Younghwan of North Chungcheong Summoned by Police over Alleged Cash Envelope Bribery

Accused of Receiving Cash Envelopes from Sports Officials Ahead of Business Trip

Kim Younghwan, the governor of North Chungcheong Province, who is under suspicion of receiving envelopes of cash from local sports officials, was summoned by the police for questioning on October 19.

Yonhap News Agency

Governor Kim appeared at the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Unit of the North Chungcheong Provincial Police Agency at around 9:45 a.m. that day as a suspect.

When asked by reporters whether he denied the allegations of receiving cash envelopes, Kim replied, "I will go in and explain everything," before proceeding to the interrogation room.

Governor Kim is accused of receiving an envelope containing 5 million won from Yoon Hyunwoo, the head of the North Chungcheong Sports Council, in his office at the North Chungcheong Provincial Government on June 26.

Earlier, the police received intelligence that Chairman Yoon of the Sports Council and Yoon Dooyoung, the head of the North Chungcheong Volleyball Association, each contributed 2.5 million won and handed over an envelope containing 5 million won to Governor Kim, who was about to leave for a business trip to Japan on June 26. In August, the police secured Governor Kim's mobile phone and related materials through a search and seizure operation.

From the early stages of the investigation, Governor Kim has consistently denied the allegations to the media, stating that he has never accepted any money or valuables.

During a previous police investigation, Chairman Yoon of the Sports Council stated, "It is true that I withdrew cash before meeting the governor, but I did not take it up to his office. At the time, I left the envelope in my car."

However, Yoon Dooyoung, head of the Volleyball Association, reportedly testified, "Chairman Yoon suggested giving the governor travel expenses, so I transferred my share of 2.5 million won to him. However, I later heard that the money was returned, but I do not know the truth of that."