Key Facts
• On January 1, South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party expelled former member Kang Sun-woo over bribery allegations.
• Kang allegedly received 100 million won (approx. 11 million yen) before the 2022 local elections.
• Kim Byung-gi, former party floor leader, faces disciplinary procedures for allegedly ignoring Kang’s misconduct.
• Kim was secretary of the Seoul Party’s nomination committee during the incident.
• Past media reports claim Kim received and returned money from a local candidate.
• Seoul Metropolitan Police have begun investigations into both Kang and Kim for bribery.
• Kang submitted his resignation online on January 1 at 8:03 p.m., making him an independent lawmaker.
• Despite Kang’s resignation, the party proceeded with a formal expulsion process.
• The party’s ethics committee requested swift disciplinary decisions regarding Kim based on investigation results.
• The investigation covers all suspected areas related to Kim’s conduct.
Summary
South Korea’s ruling Democratic Party took decisive action on January 1 by expelling former lawmaker Kang Sun-woo amid allegations of accepting 100 million won in bribes linked to candidate nominations before the 2022 local elections. Kang resigned from the party the same day, but the party formalized his expulsion to reflect the severity of the misconduct. Additionally, Kim Byung-gi, the former floor leader and secretary of the Seoul nomination committee, is under disciplinary review for allegedly condoning Kang’s bribery. Past reports also implicate Kim in receiving and returning money from a local candidate. The Seoul Metropolitan Police have launched investigations into both individuals for bribery-related offenses. The Democratic Party’s ethics committee has requested a prompt disciplinary ruling on Kim, with the investigation encompassing all suspected misconduct areas. This case highlights ongoing efforts within the party to address corruption and maintain ethical standards.
