▲ A picture of Rep. Kang Sun-woo is displayed outside her office at the National Assembly in Seoul, in this Jan. 2, 2026, file photo. (Yonhap)

police-lawmaker

Police impose travel ban on ex-ruling party lawmaker over alleged bribe taking

By Lee Haye-ah

SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Yonhap) -- Police said Monday they have imposed travel bans on former ruling party lawmaker Kang Sun-woo and two others over their alleged bribery ahead of the 2022 local elections.

Rep. Kang, who recently quit the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and became an independent, is accused of accepting 100 million won (US$68,500) from Seoul city councilor Kim Kyung in exchange for a nomination for the councilorship. The money was reportedly delivered to Kang's then aide, surnamed Nam.

All three have been banned from leaving the country pending an investigation into the charges, Park Jeong-bo, chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, told reporters.

Kim, who returned from the United States on Sunday, will also be summoned soon for a second round of questioning after the first round lasted over three hours into the early hours of Monday, Park said.

"It wasn't possible to question her for a long time due to jet lag and health issues," he told reporters, adding it was not a matter of being considerate.

He rejected criticism that the police acted belatedly on the investigation by allowing her to leave for the U.S. on Dec. 31, allegedly to meet with her child, saying a complaint against her was assigned to investigators after that date.

Kim reportedly told police Sunday that she admits to giving the 100 million won to Kang, as previously testified in a written statement to police.

Police raided the homes and offices of Kim, Kang and Nam on Sunday to seize material related to their investigation, but questions persist about the agency's will as two weeks have passed since the scandal first broke Dec. 29, allowing the suspects enough time to destroy any evidence.

Kang can be heard discussing the money with DP Rep. Kim Byung-kee in a recording disclosed Dec. 29.

Kim Byung-kee resigned as floor leader the next day to take responsibility for that and other allegations of misconduct surrounding him and his family.

(END)

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