DPK lawmaker leaves party over bribery allegations
Rep. Kang Sun-woo of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea / Korea Times photo by Jeong Da-bin
Rep. Kang Sun-woo of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said Thursday she will leave the party amid allegations that she received 100 million won ($69,400) from a Seoul city councilor in 2022.
"I am leaving the DPK. I have already caused too much burden to the party and its members, and I cannot do that any further," she wrote in a Facebook post.
Police launched an investigation into Kang the previous day after opposition lawmakers filed a complaint against her on bribery charges. Kang is accused of receiving the money via an aide during the 2022 local elections.
"Even after I leave the party, I will comply with all procedures requested by the party and cooperate fully with the investigation," she said.
The case recently drew public attention after a local media outlet released an audio recording of Kang discussing the matter with Rep. Kim Byung-kee of the same party, who was then serving as the secretary of the DPK's Seoul nomination committee. Kim resigned from the party's floor leadership on Tuesday.