Police have wrapped up a third round of questioning that lasted about four hours of a former aide to independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo, identified as a key figure in the alleged "100 million won nomination bribe." Authorities were also said to be considering a face-to-face cross-examination with Seoul City Council member Kim Kyung, who acknowledged handing over 100 million won but flatly denied it was in exchange for a nomination, but a cross-examination between Nam and Kim ultimately did not take place.
The Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Violent Crime Investigation Division summoned Nam, a former aide to lawmaker Kang and a former head of the constituency office, as a suspect on the afternoon of the 18th. It was the second consecutive day of summons and the third round of questioning.
Nam, who appeared at around 7 p.m., left the building at about 11:10 p.m., roughly 4 hours and 10 minutes later, after completing questioning. Nam was asked questions such as "Did you first propose a nomination donation to City Council member Kim Kyung?" and "Did lawmaker Kang Sun-woo receive the money directly?" but did not answer and got into a car.
The questioning of Kim, who appeared at 10 a.m., had not ended even past midnight. In particular, the face-to-face cross-examination between Kim and Nam, which had been anticipated that day, did not happen. A cross-examination is possible only with the consent of both parties. Attention now turns to the possibility of a three-way cross-examination involving lawmaker Kang, City Council member Kim, and Nam in connection with Kang's summons on the 20th.
Kim has told police that the so-called "nomination donation" was first proposed by Nam. He said that as he was weighing where to run before the 2022 local elections, Nam explained Kang's situation and demanded an amount referred to as "one sheet."
But Nam maintains that he does not know about this. Nam has reportedly stuck to his previous position, saying, "I never directly asked City Council member Kim for money," and "I didn't even know whether money changed hands while I was away."
However, lawmaker Kang's position is entirely different from the accounts of the two. Kang has said on her social media that the money transaction was only between City Council member Kim and Nam, and that she was briefed after the fact and immediately ordered the money returned. Kang has also denied the allegation itself, saying, "I have never received any money."
Police plan to summon lawmaker Kang for questioning on the 20th. Investigators are expected to press Kang on how the 100 million won donation was delivered and whether a nomination donation was proposed.