▲ An ex-aide to Rep. Kang Sun-woo, formerly a lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party, appears before police for the second round of questioning on an alleged bribery case ahead of the 2022 local elections on Jan. 17, 2025, in this photo provided by Yonhap News TV. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) police-lawmaker

(LEAD) Rep. Kang's ex-aide appears before police again for bribery allegations

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SEOUL, Jan. 17 (Yonhap) -- A former aide to ex-ruling party Rep. Kang Sun-woo appeared before police Saturday to undergo questioning for a second time in connection to a bribery case.

The former aide, surnamed Nam, arrived at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's office at 9:49 a.m., 11 days after being questioned by police.

Nam was seen covering his face with the hood of his windbreaker and remained tight-lipped to questions from reporters.

Nam left the office at 8:37 p.m. and once again did not answer questions from reporters on his way out.

The former aide to Rep. Kang, formerly of the Democratic Party (DP), is accused of receiving 100 million won (US$68,170) from Kim Kyoung, a Seoul city councilor, ahead of the local elections in 2022, allegedly in exchange for her councillorship nomination.

In the first police questioning, Nam admitted to meeting Kim with Kang but denied claims of receiving cash, saying he was not present when the cash was transferred.

He later moved what he called an "item" into the trunk of Rep. Kang's car, without knowing that there was cash inside, according to Nam.

Kim has reportedly claimed in a statement submitted to police that she personally gave the cash to Kang at a cafe in the lead-up to the elections.

Kim has also apparently asserted that Nam set the amount of cash to change hands at 100 million won and that Nam was present when Kim handed the money to Kang.

In contrast, Kang has said that she belatedly learned of her aide's acceptance of the cash and claimed to have instructed him to return it.

Kang has recently quit the DP after the allegations surfaced.

The police said it plans to summon Kang on Tuesday.

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