By Kim Jae-heun
Police searched a publishing company, Sunday, concerning an opinion-rigging scandal involving a ruling party lawmaker.
According to the police, they searched the company in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, and secured evidence including recorded footage from security cameras installed in and around the building.
The search occurred as the police have beefed up their investigation into the alleged massive manipulation of internet comments in online news articles amid growing criticism of their lax investigation.
The case has been sparked by allegations that Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Rep. Kim Kyoung-soo, a key loyalist to President Moon, is said to have been in contact with a blogger nicknamed Druking for years. The blogger is suspected of leading the online campaign.
The police said their investigation team is comprised of 36 officers after adding six experts and they are specialized in law, tax accounting and intellectual crime.
The police confirmed the suspect, known only by his surname Kim, sent 5 million won ($4,675) to the lawmaker's aide as a bribe. The lawmaker argued he returned the money.