By Kim Bo-eun
Rep. Roh Hoe-chan's suicide is drawing attention to the ongoing investigation into a major online opinion-rigging scandal he was allegedly part of.
The lawmaker is believed to have received around 50 million won ($44,333) from Kim Dong-won, an influential blogger known as Druking who is the central figure behind the scandal.
An earlier investigation in 2016 cleared Roh of charges. However, a special counsel team reinvestigating the case found that evidence submitted by Kim's aide was fabricated to show the funds had been returned, and launched a fresh investigation.
The probe found that a lawyer surnamed Do, who was a key member of a circle led by Kim, had introduced Kim and Roh to each other in 2016 before the general elections. Do and Roh were high school alumni.
Investigations into Roh accelerated last week, after Do was arrested on charges of violating the political fund law.
Investigations showed Roh received 20 million won when he visited a publishing house Kim and his circle used as their office, and that he received an additional 30 million won through his wife's driver.
Roh also faced allegations of receiving 20 million won after being invited by Kim to give a lecture in 2014.
Roh denied the allegations. "I have not ever received illegal political funds," he told reporters during his visit to Washington D.C. last week.
"I never met Do or even spoke to him on the phone in 2016. Does it make sense that I received money from him?" he said.
In a note he left, Roh stated he had received funds related to Druking but that there were no illicit requests involved.
The team investigating the case was set to summon the lawmaker soon to question him over the allegations.
Kim is presumed to have handed over the funds to secure his acquaintances' positions at the National Assembly.
The blogger is alleged to have played a role in generating favorable opinions on online communities of President Moon Jae-in and the Democratic Party of Korea, in order to get him elected. Kim's plan was to earn his acquaintances positions after Moon became elected, but his requests were declined. He began generating negative opinions against the Moon administration afterward.
Independent counsel Huh Ik-bum leading the investigations expressed his sorrow over Roh's death.
While the team canceled plans to summon Do on Monday, it said the probe will continue regardless of Roh's death.
Rep. Roh Hoe-chan's suicide is drawing attention to the ongoing investigation into a major online opinion-rigging scandal he was allegedly part of.
The lawmaker is believed to have received around 50 million won ($44,333) from Kim Dong-won, an influential blogger known as Druking who is the central figure behind the scandal.
An earlier investigation in 2016 cleared Roh of charges. However, a special counsel team reinvestigating the case found that evidence submitted by Kim's aide was fabricated to show the funds had been returned, and launched a fresh investigation.
The probe found that a lawyer surnamed Do, who was a key member of a circle led by Kim, had introduced Kim and Roh to each other in 2016 before the general elections. Do and Roh were high school alumni.
Investigations into Roh accelerated last week, after Do was arrested on charges of violating the political fund law.
Investigations showed Roh received 20 million won when he visited a publishing house Kim and his circle used as their office, and that he received an additional 30 million won through his wife's driver.
Roh also faced allegations of receiving 20 million won after being invited by Kim to give a lecture in 2014.
Roh denied the allegations. "I have not ever received illegal political funds," he told reporters during his visit to Washington D.C. last week.
"I never met Do or even spoke to him on the phone in 2016. Does it make sense that I received money from him?" he said.
In a note he left, Roh stated he had received funds related to Druking but that there were no illicit requests involved.
The team investigating the case was set to summon the lawmaker soon to question him over the allegations.
Kim is presumed to have handed over the funds to secure his acquaintances' positions at the National Assembly.
The blogger is alleged to have played a role in generating favorable opinions on online communities of President Moon Jae-in and the Democratic Party of Korea, in order to get him elected. Kim's plan was to earn his acquaintances positions after Moon became elected, but his requests were declined. He began generating negative opinions against the Moon administration afterward.
Independent counsel Huh Ik-bum leading the investigations expressed his sorrow over Roh's death.
While the team canceled plans to summon Do on Monday, it said the probe will continue regardless of Roh's death.
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