Independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo, who was indicted and detained on charges of receiving 100 million won in exchange for a local election nomination, asked the court for a trial without detention. Prosecutors opposed bail, saying Kang could coax a witness or influence related testimony.
The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 1 single-judge panel (Presiding Judge Lee Chun-geun, senior judge) held a bail hearing on the 12th for Kang, who was indicted on charges including violating the Political Funds Act. In court that day, Kang said the point was to allow a trial without detention so the truth could be revealed and the proceedings could be attended to faithfully.
Kang's side argued that the need for detention had weakened based on materials newly confirmed after the arrest. The attorney said materials corroborating the specific movements of Nam, a former aide to Kang and a person surnamed Nam, had been confirmed, adding, "If this had been submitted at the detention review stage, it is questionable whether the warrant would have been issued."
The attorney also said the money was not delivered to Kang. Kang's side argued, "It is clear there was no fact of receiving money," saying the flow of funds appears to have remained between former Seoul city council member Kim Kyung and former aide Nam. They added that as a sitting lawmaker, Kang poses a low flight risk, and that parity with former aide Nam, who is standing trial without detention, should also be considered.
Prosecutors countered that bail should not be granted. They said Kang could coax witnesses or taint testimony, and that the grounds for detention recognized at the time the warrant was issued still hold.
Prosecutors also took issue with the number of visits Kang received. According to prosecutors, from Mar. 11 to the 4th of this month, Kang had a total of 141 visits. Of these, 89 were attorney visits and 52 were general visits. Prosecutors argued, "In a situation where the media is criticizing this as 'emperor visits,' a bail request on the grounds of defense rights is not persuasive."
Kang was indicted and detained in March on charges of receiving 100 million won in January 2022 from the former city council member Kim in exchange for a nomination. At the time, Kang was a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim, a former city council member, was the sole Democratic Party nominee for Seoul City Council in Gangseo District, Kang's constituency, and was elected.
Prosecutors also brought to trial former aide Nam, who arranged the meeting between the two, and Kim, the former city council member. In court, Kim and former aide Nam admitted to the offering charges, but Kang completely denies the allegations.