Independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo sent a letter to fellow Democratic Party members after authorities requested an arrest warrant against him for allegedly violating political funding laws. In the letter, he stated he would not hide or evade, while expressing his sense of injustice over various allegations. 
Kang, who left the Democratic Party, apologized to his colleagues on the 10th, saying, “I sincerely apologize for causing you concern with this matter. Everything stems from my own shortcomings and mistakes.”
He continued, “I worry this may seem like an excuse, but I believe it’s my duty to at least explain the situation to my senior and fellow lawmakers. I want to clarify and correct the points that differ from what has been reported.”
Kang explained, “The 100 million KRW (approximately 75,000 USD) holds no value worth risking my political career or my life. I didn’t enter politics with grand ambitions.” He added, “I wanted to create a world where I wouldn’t have to worry about outliving my child with developmental disabilities.”
He recalled, “In January 2022, while preparing for the presidential election, each day was overwhelming. My aide introduced me to former city council member Kim Kyung.”
Kang mentioned, “The shopping bag I received as a customary gift remained untouched in my home’s storage room. Due to my habit of forgetting things, I lost track of that gift.” He noted, “On April 20, 2022, during a meeting of the Seoul City Party’s candidate selection committee, I proposed that we should ‘find a young female candidate and run a great campaign.'”
He stated, “Immediately after, I received an angry phone call from candidate Kim Kyung. It was then that I realized the gift I had received was worth 100 million KRW (75,000 USD). I ordered my aide to return the money immediately and informed the committee secretary as well. I felt so scared that I wanted to cling to the committee secretary for support.”
He added, “Although I was in great distress, I felt it was my responsibility to attend the committee meeting on April 22. During the meeting, when asked about Gangseo Gap, I candidly reported that I had looked for young women but found it difficult to identify suitable candidates, ultimately leaning toward candidate Kim Kyung, who had a much higher score than the others.”
Kang explained, “Ultimately, after discussions and decisions within the committee, Kim Kyung was selected as the sole candidate. Although the rejected candidates filed complaints, they were dismissed due to Kim Kyung’s significantly higher score.”
He asserted, “If I had demanded 100 million KRW (75,000 USD), I wouldn’t have met in a conspicuous hotel café. There was no reason for the committee to suddenly propose running a great campaign with a young female candidate.”
Addressing allegations that he used the 100 million KRW (75,000 USD) in campaign contributions to secure a rental property, he firmly stated, “That is completely untrue. My father-in-law passed away on March 10, 2022, and we received a substantial amount of condolence money, which was used to cover the rental costs.”
He recounted, “I tried several times to return the 100 million KRW (75,000 USD) to Kim Kyung through my aide, but it wasn’t easy. I began to suspect that she was intentionally avoiding me.” Eventually, he met Kim Kyung in person to return the money, noting, “That day was right after the second trial verdict against former Gangseo District Mayor Kim Tae-woo was announced.”
He also recalled, “At that time, Kim Kyung told me that if she had known I would return the money, she wouldn’t have come to the meeting.” He added, “Since then, she attempted to give me money in the form of donations or gifts, but I continuously returned or declined them.”
Kang declared, “I won’t claim that I’m wronged. I should have been more careful and stricter. The dullness of my senses and the looseness of my boundaries are entirely my responsibility.” He affirmed, “I will not hide or evade; I will take full responsibility. I will face this situation with dignity and humility.”
Reporter Kim Hee-sun heeseon314@newdaily.co.kr
© New Daily (https://www.newdaily.co.kr), unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited.
Most Commented