An audio transcript containing specific circumstances related to National Agricultural Cooperative Federation President Kang Ho-dong's alleged receipt of money and valuables has been released. Despite the release of the recording, Kang avoided a direct answer, saying, "I will explain in detail to the police."
Jeon Jong-deok of The Progressive Party said at the National Assembly's Agriculture. Food. Rural Affairs. Oceans. and Fisheries Committee audit that day to Kang, "It has been investigated that you directly received 50 million won in a Mercedes-Benz located in Songpa, and another 50 million won near Seoul Station in Dec. 2023, totaling 100 million won."
Jeon then released a phone recording containing suspicions that Kang received 20 million won when Kang was Yulgok Cooperative head in Hapcheon. In the recording, a person presumed to have provided the money says, "Are you saying (to President Kang) that you gave money? How much did you give?" and the other person replies, "Twenty million."
In response, Kang said, "I will go to the police and explain."
Im Mi-ae of the Democratic Party of Korea also asked, "According to media reports, you are known to have received 100 million won in two instances, in Dec. last year and Jan. this year, from the head of a company that provides security and cleaning services to NongHyup Distribution. Did you meet this company head?"
Im continued, "A tip came into my office. After handing over the money but receiving neither words of thanks nor an invitation to the inauguration, dissatisfaction grew, and on Oct. 25 NongHyup Distribution posted a competitive bidding notice on Nara Market for security and cleaning services for the '25 fiscal year," adding, "Angered by this, the company head sent a text to the president saying, 'I have nothing more to lose. You have much to protect, don't you.'"
Kang avoided a direct answer, saying, "As this is a matter under police investigation, I will explain in detail to the police."
Earlier, on the 15th, police searched and seized the office of National Agricultural Cooperative Federation President Kang Ho-dong. Kang was elected in the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation president election held in Jan. last year. Police are reportedly viewing that in late 2023, when Kang ran for National Agricultural Cooperative Federation president and was a strong favorite to win, he received cash totaling a little over 100 million won on two occasions from Mr. A, the head of a service contractor that has a transaction relationship with a National Agricultural Cooperative Federation affiliate.