Lawmaker, ex-councilor indicted in cash-for-nomination scandal

▲ This composite photo shows former Seoul city councilor Kim Kyung (L) and Rep. Kang Sun-woo. (Yonhap)

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Lawmaker, ex-councilor indicted in cash-for-nomination scandal

SEOUL, March 27 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors indicted a lawmaker and a former Seoul city councilor Friday on charges of exchanging cash for a nomination during the 2022 local elections.

Rep. Kang Sun-woo, an independent formerly of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), and Kim Kyung, who resigned as councilor earlier this year amid the scandal, were indicted on charges of accepting and giving bribes in breach of trust, and violating the Political Funds Act and the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office said.

Both women have been jailed since early this month.

The case centers on allegations that Kim offered 100 million won (US$66,400) to Kang in exchange for a DP nomination for her councilorship ahead of the 2022 local elections.

Prosecutors said they confirmed the allegations by conducting supplementary investigations after receiving the case from the police.

During the police investigation stage, key details, such as the time and place where the alleged exchange took place, had not been supported by evidence.

A former aide to the lawmaker was also indicted on the same charges, but without detention, after having arranged the meeting between Kang and Kim, the prosecution said.

The scandal broke at the end of last year through the disclosure of a recording in which Kang can be heard discussing the money with former DP floor leader Kim Byung-ki.

As a sitting lawmaker, Kang has immunity from arrest while the National Assembly is in session. In February, however, the Assembly approved a motion for her arrest.

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