Police Raid Kang Sunwoo and Kim Kyung over "Nomination Fund Scandal" Allegations (Comprehensive)

The police have launched a compulsory investigation into Kang Sunwoo, an independent member of the National Assembly implicated in the alleged "nomination fund scandal," as well as Kang's former chief of staff and Kim Kyung, a Seoul Metropolitan Council member from the Democratic Party of Korea.

Office of Kang Sunwoo, Independent Lawmaker. Yonhap News Agency

The Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced that, starting at 5:30 p.m. on January 11, they were conducting searches and seizures at the homes of Assemblyman Kang, former chief of staff Nam, and Councilman Kim, all of whom are suspected of bribery. It was also confirmed that they were searching Assemblyman Kang's office at the National Assembly Members' Office Building and Councilman Kim's office at the Seoul Metropolitan Council.

Assemblyman Kang is suspected of receiving a bribe of 100 million won from Councilman Kim through former chief of staff Nam ahead of the 2022 local elections, when Kang was a member of the Democratic Party.

Assemblyman Kang admitted that his chief of staff received the money at the time, but stated, "I repeatedly instructed that it be returned, and I confirmed that it was returned."

It was later revealed that Assemblyman Kang had advocated for Councilman Kim's nomination during the party's nomination committee meeting, leading to Kang's expulsion from the Democratic Party.

At 7:16 p.m. that day, Councilman Kim stated at the arrival hall of Incheon International Airport, "I will cooperate fully with the investigation."

Councilman Kim did not respond to questions from reporters such as, "Do you admit to handing over 100 million won as a nomination fund?", "Why did you submit a written statement?", and "What was the reason for your early return to Korea?"