Suspicion Spreads Like Wildfire Over Apple... Kim Nam-guk Requests External Experts to Conduct Fact-Finding Investigation

Despite the explanation and apology from Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea at the center of the '6 billion won coin' controversy, suspicions surrounding his coin investments continue unabated. Reports have emerged that the coin he invested in with the money from selling stocks was not WEMIX but another 'junk coin.' Kim requested a fact-finding investigation including external experts, stating that "distorted reports are continuing," but the view of him within the party remains cold.

On the 10th, Kim requested the Democratic Party through his social media service (SNS), saying, "Absurd distorted and suspicious reports are continuing, so I believe a more thorough and rigorous verification is necessary," and "I earnestly request the formation of a fact-finding investigation team including external experts."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This came just one day after posting an apology statement on SNS. He added, "I will actively participate in a more intensive fact-finding investigation. I ask that a thorough investigation be conducted promptly. I will accept all investigation teams and verification methods formed by the party."

His request for a verification team including external experts, citing "absurd distorted and suspicious reports," appears to be due to ongoing follow-up reports even after his apology and explanation. JTBC reported that the coin Kim purchased by selling stocks was not WEMIX but 'BitTorrent,' and the cryptocurrency media 'Digital Asset' analyzed that the amount of WEMIX coins he holds is not 6 billion won but reaches 8.7 billion won.

However, despite Kim's explanation, apology, and request for external experts, many point out that there are still unclear aspects. Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, said on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' that "When he reported his assets in 2022, he said his deposits increased because he sold stocks, but looking at his additional explanation now, the money from selling stocks went into coins, and the deposits increased from selling coins. Then he should have honestly reported that the deposits increased from selling coins, but he did not." He also criticized, "Not only that, he initially boasted that he only cashed out 4 million won, but now it appears he cashed out 900 million to 800 million won, which is also a lie, isn't it?"

The view of Kim within the Democratic Party is also cold. Lee So-young, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, pointed out on SBS Radio, "Putting aside the specific facts for now, if a member of the National Assembly is not focusing on their duties but is checking the price of their stocks (coins) every day, that does not meet the public's expectations," indicating that his attitude was inappropriate. Park Joo-min, a Democratic Party member, also expressed concern on SBS Radio, saying, "The investment amount is very large, and a member of the National Assembly should be devoted to state affairs or various politics, but it seems he showed the public an appearance of being devoted to investment. If so, this is being evaluated as inappropriate."

Ko Min-jung, a senior member of the Democratic Party, expressed regret on the previous day’s YTN Radio program 'Shin Yul's News Face-off,' saying, "I also felt a relative sense of deprivation for a moment," and "It is fortunate that (Kim) issued an apology, but it feels somewhat late." The Democratic Party plans to hold a reform general meeting on the 14th to discuss Kim’s coin-related issues.

Voices calling for the full disclosure of National Assembly members’ coin assets have also emerged following Kim’s case. Kang Hoon-sik, a Democratic Party member, said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "We should be cautious about this ending with just an attack on one member, Kim," and "Whether from our party or the People Power Party, shouldn’t we conduct a full investigation?"

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.