Police Seek Arrest Warrants for Kang Seonwoo and Kim Kyung on Breach of Trust and Other Charges

Allegations of Receiving a 100 Million Won Nomination Bribe

The police, who are investigating allegations of a 100 million won nomination bribe, have requested arrest warrants for independent lawmaker Kang Seonwoo and former Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Kyung. This comes about one month after the controversy first erupted.

The Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency applied for arrest warrants for Kang and former council member Kim with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office at 9 a.m. on the 5th. The police charged them with violations of the Political Funds Act, with Kang additionally charged with breach of trust and receiving benefits, and Kim with breach of trust and giving benefits, as well as violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.

Kang Sunwoo, an independent lawmaker, answered reporters' questions as he left the Mapo building of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency after finishing police questioning on the 21st of last month. Yonhap News Agency

Kang is suspected of having received 100 million won from former Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim ahead of the 2022 local elections. Kang explained that she returned the money after she became aware that she had received it, but after Kim got the money back, circumstances were detected indicating that he made large so-called "split donations" to Kang.

The police initially considered applying bribery charges, but stated that they ultimately applied breach-of-trust-related charges on the grounds that party nominations fall under party affairs, not official duties. However, they also said that when deciding whether to refer the case to the prosecution after further investigation and legal review, they will again consider applying bribery charges.