Kim Kyung, a Seoul Metropolitan Council member accused of handing 1 billion won in nomination funds to Rep. Kang Sun-woo, who left the Democratic Party of Korea and is now an independent, appeared before police again on the 18th.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit called in Kim at 10 a.m. as a suspect on charges including offering a bribe and is under investigation. This is the third summons for Kim, following the 11th and 15th.
Kim arrived at the Mapo building of the Seoul agency at 10:04 a.m. and told reporters, "There have been far too many statements I did not make and speculative reports," and added, "I personally find it regrettable."
Kim added, "I am faithfully cooperating with the investigation. I am approaching this with a sense of responsibility," and said, "Please wait for the results. I am sorry again."
When reporters asked, "What statements and reports are speculative?" Kim headed to the interrogation room without answering.
Police summoned Kim again three days after the 15th, apparently to establish the facts of the "truth battle" between Kim and a person surnamed Nam, who previously served as Kang's aide and as the head of Kang's district office, ahead of Kang's questioning set for the 20th.
At present, Kang, Kim, and Nam are each giving statements favorable to their own positions.
First, Kim argues that Nam was the one who first proposed nomination funds to Kang. Kim says that when considering where to run in the 2022 local elections, Nam explained Kang's situation and first mentioned the amount as "one sheet." It is said that Kim then stated that at a meeting attended by Nam, money was handed directly to Kang.
Nam, on the other hand, is said to claim that although Nam met Kim with Kang, Nam briefly stepped away and did not know money changed hands. Nam says Kang then instructed to "move the goods to the car," and without knowing it was money, put it in the trunk. This denies the role of a middleman in delivering a bribe.
Kang's position is that Kang became aware of the exchange of money belatedly through Nam and instructed that the money received be returned to Kim.
It appears police will first sort out the truth battle between Kim and Nam before proceeding to question Kang. Police questioned Nam for 10 hours and 30 minutes the previous day and plan to summon Nam again as early as this afternoon.
If Nam appears before police again today, there is also talk of a possible face-to-face confrontation with Kim. However, there are many variables, as suspects can refuse a confrontation or exercise the right to remain silent.