Court issues arrest warrant for lawmaker, ex-councilor in bribery case
This compilation image shows former Seoul city councilor Kim Kyung, left, and Rep. Kang Sun-woo. Yonhap
A court on Tuesday has issued arrest warrants for an independent lawmaker and a former Seoul city councilor over bribery allegations linked to the 2022 local elections.
The Seoul Central District Court issued the warrants for Rep. Kang Sun-woo, formerly of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), and former councilor Kim Kyung on Tuesday, citing concerns that they might destroy evidence. Prosecutors sought their detention early last month.
Kang is accused of receiving 100 million won ($68,200) in cash from Kim ahead of the 2022 elections allegedly in exchange for her support for Kim's nomination as a DPK candidate for the Seoul city council at the time.
"I apologize for causing concern to the people," Kang told reporters before attending her hearing. "I will sincerely make an explanation in the courtroom."
Kang has claimed that she did not know the shopping bag Kim gave her at the time contained cash, adding that she returned the money after discovering it three months later.
Police believe Kang had met Kim with knowledge of the cash in advance and spent the money on a rental deposit. Kim ultimately received the DPK candidate nomination and won a city council seat in the elections.
Kang's hearing took place after the National Assembly approved a motion for her arrest last Tuesday.
By law, sitting lawmakers are immune from arrest while parliament is in session and can only be put under arrest with consent from the National Assembly.