Political Scandal: Can Independent Lawmaker Kang Sun-woo Survive the 100 Million Won Bribery Allegations?

As the arrest consent process intensifies for independent lawmaker Kang Seon-woo, who faces allegations of accepting a 100 million KRW (75,000 USD) political donation, Kang has sent a letter to members of the Democratic Party of Korea.

Political sources revealed on the 10th that Kang dispatched a personal letter to Democratic Party lawmakers, reiterating his denial of the alleged political donation acceptance.

In a four-page letter delivered to the Democratic Party’s National Assembly office, Kang declared, “100 million KRW (75,000 USD) is not worth jeopardizing my political career or my life in any way.” He added, “I deeply apologize for causing concern. This entire situation stems from my own shortcomings and oversights.”

Addressing the allegation that his aide received 100 million KRW (75,000 USD) from then-candidate Kim Kyung, a Seoul city councilor, during his tenure as head of the Seoul City Party’s nomination management committee in 2022, Kang explained, “The shopping bag I received that day as a customary gift has remained untouched in the storage room of my home. Due to my habit of forgetting about items I set aside, that gift also slipped my mind.”

Kang stated, “I made several attempts to return the 100 million KRW (75,000 USD) to Kim Kyung through my aide, but it proved challenging. Ultimately, I met with Kim Kyung personally and returned the 100 million KRW (75,000 USD) myself.”

In a related development, the Seoul Central District Court announced on the 10th that it had forwarded the arrest consent request for lawmaker Kang Seon-woo, who faces charges of violating the Political Fund Act, to prosecutors. It’s worth noting that a sitting lawmaker can only undergo a pre-arrest interrogation if the National Assembly approves the arrest consent request during a plenary session.

The arrest consent request follows a specific process: the court sends it to prosecutors, who then forward it to the National Assembly via the Justice Ministry. Subsequently, it is reported to the plenary session for a voting procedure. According to the National Assembly Act, the Speaker must report the request during the first plenary session after its receipt, and a vote must occur within 24 to 72 hours. If this deadline is not met, the request will be addressed at the next convened plenary session.

Previously, prosecutors had filed arrest warrants against Kang and former Seoul city councilor Kim Kyung for alleged violations of the Political Fund Act and breach of trust. The two are accused of exchanging 100 million KRW (75,000 USD) for political nominations at a hotel in Yongsan, Seoul, in January 2022, ahead of local elections.

This case marks the fourth instance in which an arrest warrant has been requested for a lawmaker since the inauguration of the 22nd National Assembly. Earlier, arrest consent requests were submitted to the National Assembly for lawmakers Kwon Seong-dong and Choo Kyung-ho from the People Power Party, as well as Shin Young-dae from the Democratic Party.