Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 1st ordered an emergency ethics probe into Kim Kwan-young, North Jeolla governor.
The Democratic Party said in a notice that "there was a tip about Kim Kwan-young, the North Jeolla governor, so the party leader ordered the Ethics Inspection Team to conduct an emergency probe."
The Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Investigation Unit of the North Jeolla Provincial Police Agency said that a complaint related to the governor, Kim, was recently filed. The complaint reportedly contained allegations that Kim recently handed out cash envelopes to young people at a restaurant.
Kim is running for a second term as North Jeolla governor in the June 3 local elections. He is currently in a primary against Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Won-taek.
Kim wrote on Facebook the same day, "I apologize for causing concern to party members and residents of the province," and "I retrieved it immediately upon recognizing the problem and corrected it. I will faithfully explain."
The Democratic Party plans to hold an emergency Supreme Council meeting this evening to discuss matters including the probe of former governor Kim.