[News Today] Warrants sought for Kim and Kang

[LEAD]
Police investigating allegations of nomination donation have sought detention warrants for independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo and former Seoul city councilor Kim Kyung. This marks the first attempt to detain key suspects, about a month after the scandal surfaced.

[REPORT]

The allegation that a Democratic Party lawmaker received money in return for public office nomination surfaced late last December.

The scandal was triggered when a transcript was released that suggest then-DP legislator Kang Sun-woo had received and kept 100 million won from Seoul City Councilor Kim Kyung in April 2022.

Kim Byung-kee / Then-secretary of nomination committee covering Seoul City
The secretary general is keeping KRW 100mn, isn't he?

Kang Sun-Woo / Then-member of nomination committee covering Seoul City
That's right. It was very thoughtless.

The police requested detention warrants for now-independent legislator Kang and former Seoul Councilor Kim 38 days after investigation started.

The two are accused of exchanging 100 million won in January 2022 ahead of local elections at a hotel in Yongsan-gu District in Seoul in return for nominating Kim.

The police, which had initially considered bribery charges, said they violated the Political Funds Act and the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.

Kang was charged with receiving bribe by breach of trust and Kim with giving bribe by breach of trust. The sentencing guidelines for these crimes are lighter than that for bribery.

The police reportedly concluded that nomiating someone for a public office was a party affair rather than a public affair, which is an element of bribery.

Kang is still a sitting legislator who has immunity from arrest.

Kang Sun-woo / Independent Lawmaker
(Are you going to maintain your immunity from arrest?) ...

For the court to review Kang's warrant, a majority of registered members must be in attendance at the National Assembly's plenary session, and a majority of those present must approve the arrest motion.

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