Kang Sun-woo Appears for Police Questioning on Jan 20 Kang Sun-woo, who left the Democratic Party earlier this month, arrived at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Public Crime Investigation Unit on 20 January 2026 to be questioned as a suspect in a bribery case. She declined to answer reporters’ questions, stating she lives by her principles, while police pressed her about the alleged illegal funds. The appearance follows her resignation from the party amid the same allegations [1].

Alleged 100 Million‑Won Payment Linked to 2022 Nomination recording released 22 days before the interview captures Kang discussing a 100 million‑won (≈US$68,000) payment from councilor Kim Kyung that was routed through her aide Nam to secure Kim’s nomination to the Seoul city council in the 2022 local elections. Kang claims she learned of Nam’s receipt only after the fact and ordered the cash returned to Kim. Police are examining whether Kang was aware of the receipt and why the nomination proceeded despite the payment [1][2].

Councilor Kim Kyung Also Faces Repeated Interrogations Kim Kyung, the councilor at the center of the alleged scheme, was questioned a second time after returning from the United States, reiterating that she handed the cash to Kang personally at a café before the 2022 election. She has handed over her work tablet and laptop to investigators and faces further cross‑examination to verify her statements. The repeated interrogations underscore police efforts to link the payment directly to the councilor’s nomination process [3][2].

Investigation Targets Knowledge, Timing, and Influence of Funds Investigators have already questioned Nam and Kim three times each, seeking to map the flow of the 100 million‑won and determine who authorized it. The probe aims to establish whether Kang knowingly received the money, the timing of its return, and any quid‑proquo influencing the councilor’s nomination. Findings will clarify the extent of alleged influence‑peddling surrounding the 2022 local elections [1][2].