Park Jie-won Appeals for Leniency for Sunwoo Kang, Citing Daughter with Developmental Disabilities

Assemblyman Park Jie-won of the Democratic Party of Korea has appealed for leniency for independent lawmaker Sunwoo Kang, citing the fact that Kang has a daughter with developmental disabilities who needs care. Previously, Assemblyman Kang was arrested on charges of exchanging 100 million won in connection with local election nominations.

On March 4, through his Facebook page, Assemblyman Park stated, "During the special investigation into remittances to North Korea, I too was overwhelmed with endless tears as I waited, worried about the shock my two daughters would experience rather than my wife. Assemblyman Kang has an only daughter with developmental disabilities. The memory of him crying as he talked about phone calls with his daughter, whom he cannot even live with in his district, is deeply troubling to me."

Independent lawmaker Seonwoo Kang, suspected of a 100 million won nomination bribe, is attending a detention hearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 3rd. Photo by Yonhap News

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He continued, "Regardless of whether he is guilty or not, Assemblyman Kang acknowledged his social responsibility and voluntarily left the party. His expulsion from the party came after his resignation. He also actively cooperated with the police investigation and did not attempt to evade it."

Assemblyman Park added, "There may be room for dispute over the timing of the return of the nomination bribe, but it is a fact that the money was returned, and it is also true that he did not keep a single penny. Of course, the motion to arrest was passed in the National Assembly, but as an incumbent lawmaker, there is no risk of flight, and the investigative authorities have already secured all the evidence," he emphasized.

He also said, "I believe that, at least until the verdict and sentencing are determined during the trial, allowing the mother to care for her daughter would be the law's compassion. I hope for leniency from the court."

Assemblyman Kang was arrested the previous day on charges of violating the Political Funds Act and the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, as well as receiving bribes in breach of trust. On this day, Lee Jong-rok, the judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, stated that the arrest warrant was issued "due to concerns about the destruction of evidence."

Assemblyman Kang and former city councilor Kim Kyung are accused of exchanging a nomination bribe worth 100 million won at a hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, in January 2022, five months before the local elections. Former councilor Kim has largely admitted to the charges, including submitting a confession to the police, but Assemblyman Kang maintains that "I did receive a shopping bag, but I did not know it contained money, and once I realized it was money, I returned it in full."

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