Kim Kyung: "Speculative Reports Are Rife... Please Wait for the Results"
Former Chief of Staff Summoned Again; Possibility of Face-to-Face Questioning with Kim Kyung
Kim Kyung, a Seoul City Council member accused of delivering 100 million won in nomination bribes to Kang Sunwoo, a lawmaker who was formerly affiliated with the Democratic Party, was summoned by the police again on the 18th.
Seoul City Council member Kim Kyung, accused of delivering 100 million won in 'nomination bribes' to independent lawmaker Kang Sunwoo (formerly of the Democratic Party), is appearing on the 18th at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Division for questioning as a suspect. Photo by Yonhap News
The Public Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency called in Councilor Kim at 10:00 a.m. that day for questioning as a suspect on charges including bribery.
Arriving at the Mapo office of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency at 10:04 a.m., Kim told reporters, "There have been too many statements and speculative reports that I did not make. I personally find this very regrettable."
He added, "I am cooperating with the investigation in good faith and taking a responsible attitude. I ask you to wait for the results. Once again, I am deeply sorry," bowing his head.
This is the third time Councilor Kim has been summoned, following previous summons on the 11th and 15th of this month.
The police are believed to have called in Councilor Kim again just three days later in order to clarify the facts regarding the dispute between Nam, the former chief of staff for Assemblyman Kang, and Councilor Kim, ahead of Kang's scheduled questioning on the 20th.
Councilor Kim has consistently claimed that Nam was the one who first proposed the nomination bribe to Assemblyman Kang. He alleges that, while considering his candidacy for the 2022 local elections, Nam explained Kang's situation and was the first to mention the amount as "one sheet." It is reported that Councilor Kim then stated he handed the money directly to Assemblyman Kang during a meeting attended by Nam.
In contrast, Nam has stated that while he did meet Councilor Kim together with Assemblyman Kang, he briefly left the room and was unaware that any money changed hands. He claims that later, Assemblyman Kang instructed him to move "the item" to the car, and he put it in the trunk without knowing it was money-denying any role as an intermediary in the bribery.
Councilor Kim is also said to have maintained that the money he handed over was not a nomination bribe.
Although Councilor Kim and Nam's statements share many similarities, Assemblyman Kang maintains that the money transaction was solely between Councilor Kim and Nam, and that he was only informed afterward and immediately ordered the money to be returned.
As all three parties are making statements most favorable to their own positions in order to avoid or reduce punishment, the case has developed into a dispute over the truth. It is expected that the police will first try to resolve the dispute between Councilor Kim and Nam before proceeding with the investigation of Assemblyman Kang.
The police are also focusing on securing physical evidence. They have already obtained the mobile phones and tablet PCs of the key suspects through search and seizure and voluntary submission.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
