A Seoul court issued an arrest warrant for independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo on charges of receiving 100 million won ($70,000) in exchange for a political party nomination.
Judge Lee Jong-rok of the Seoul Central District Court approved the warrant on Wednesday after a pretrial detention hearing, citing concerns over evidence destruction. The ruling came two months after recordings surfaced in which Kang allegedly discussed receiving nomination payments with then-Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-ki.
Former Seoul city council member Kim Kyung, accused of paying the bribe, was also arrested on the same day for the same reasons.
Prosecutors allege Kang and Kim met at a Yongsan hotel in January 2022, ahead of local elections, where Kim paid 100 million won in exchange for an uncontested nomination. Police believe Kang used the funds for housing deposit payments.
Kang denied the allegations, claiming she discovered the cash in a shopping bag three months after the meeting and returned it immediately. She said the 100 million won used for her housing deposit came from condolence money received following her father-in-law's death in March of that year.
"I apologize for causing public concern," Kang said upon arriving at court. "I will faithfully explain myself in the legal proceedings." She declined to answer questions about whether she used the money for housing or received it as nomination payment.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's public crimes investigation unit questioned Kang twice and Kim four times before requesting arrest warrants on December 5. Police also filed for asset preservation, treating the 100 million won as criminal proceeds.
The National Assembly approved Kang's arrest on December 24, with 164 of 263 members present voting in favor.
Kang becomes the second sitting lawmaker arrested during the 22nd National Assembly, following People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong. Kwon was indicted for allegedly receiving 100 million won in illegal political funds from the Unification Church and sentenced to two years in prison at trial. His case is currently under appeal.