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Former Democratic Party Lawmaker Kang Sun-woo Faces Second Police Interview Over 2022 Bribery

Updated (4 articles)
  • Rep. Kang Sun-woo (C) speaks to reporters before entering the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit in western Seoul on Feb. 3, 2026. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Rep. Kang Sun-woo (C) speaks to reporters before entering the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit in western Seoul on Feb. 3, 2026. (Yonhap) Source Full size

Kang Sun-woo Appears for Second Police Interview On Feb 3 2026 at about 9:30 a.m., Kang arrived at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Public Crime Investigation Unit for a follow‑up interview, her first having taken place on Jan 20 2026 [1]. She had left the Democratic Party in January 2026 to sit as an independent lawmaker [1]. During the briefing she apologized for causing public concern but declined to answer reporters’ questions [1].

Prosecutors Accuse Kang of Accepting 100 Million Won Bribe Prosecutors allege Kang received 100 million won (≈US$69,000) from former Seoul councilor Kim Kyung in 2022 in exchange for securing the party’s nomination for his council seat [1]. The payment is described as illegal political funds [1]. Kang maintains she did not know cash was inside the shopping bag handed to her at a hotel in January 2022 [1].

Councilor and Former Aide Contradict Kang’s Cash‑Bag Claim In separate police interviews, Kim Kyung and a former aide to Kang asserted that she was aware the cash was in the bag [1]. Kim Kyung resigned from the Seoul Metropolitan Council late last month during the scandal [1]. Their testimonies suggest possible knowledge of the illicit payment [1].

Investigation Expands to Additional Donations Under Borrowed Names Police are also probing claims that Kim Kyung donated roughly 130 million won to Kang between Oct 2022 and Dec 2023 using the names of several other individuals [1]. Kang says she returned the money after learning the donations were made under borrowed names [1]. The investigation will examine the legitimacy of those transactions [1].

Sources

Timeline

Jan 2022 – Kang Sun‑woo claims she receives a shopping bag at a hotel and is unaware that it contains 100 million won cash, a payment later alleged to be linked to a council nomination [1].

June 2022 (2022 local elections) – Prosecutors allege Kang accepts 100 million won from Seoul councilor Kim Kyung in exchange for securing his nomination to the Seoul city council, tying the payment to the election cycle [3][4].

Oct 2022 – Dec 2023 – Police investigate an additional 130 million won donated to Kang under borrowed names; Kang later says she returned the money after learning the donations were illicit [1].

Jan 15, 2026 – Seoul’s public‑crime unit summons Kang Sun‑woo for Tuesday questioning over the alleged 100 million won bribe; she had quit the Democratic Party earlier that month [3].

Jan 15, 2026 – Councilor Kim Kyung appears for a second police interview after returning from the United States, reiterating she personally handed the cash to Kang at a café and hands over her tablet and laptop as evidence [4].

Jan 20, 2026 – Kang arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency for her first questioning as a suspect, declines reporters’ questions and says “I have principles in life and have lived by them” [2].

Jan 20, 2026 – A recording released 22 days earlier captures Kang discussing the 100 million won payment with another DP lawmaker, suggesting she was aware of the transaction before it was returned [2].

Jan 20, 2026 – Police note that aide Nam and councilor Kim have each been questioned three times prior to Kang’s appearance, underscoring the breadth of the bribery probe [2].

Feb 3, 2026 – Kang appears for a second police interview, apologizes for causing public concern, again declines to answer reporters, and confirms she left the Democratic Party in January to sit as an independent [1].

Feb 3, 2026 – Authorities report that councilor Kim Kyung resigned from the Seoul Metropolitan Council late last month amid the scandal, highlighting the political fallout [1].

Feb 3, 2026 – Police continue probing the 130 million won donations made under borrowed names, with Kang maintaining she returned the funds after discovering the irregularities [1].

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