Sunwoo Kang and Kyung Kim's 'Nomination Bribery' First Trial... Aide and Kyung Kim Admit to Charges

by Choi Taewon

Published 29 Apr.2026 12:04(KST)

Kang Sunwoo’s Attorney: “Will Clarify Position After Reviewing Case Files and Meeting the Defendant”

At the first trial for Independent Assemblyman Sunwoo Kang and former Seoul City Council member Kyung Kim, who have been indicted on charges of giving and receiving 100 million won in exchange for a city council nomination, Nam, who had served as an aide to both Kim and Kang, admitted to the charges.

Kang Sunwoo, Independent Member of Parliament (left), and Kim Kyung, former Seoul City Council member. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On the morning of April 29, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 1 (Presiding Judge Lee Chungeun) held the first hearing in the case involving Assemblyman Kang, former council member Kim, and Nam, Kang's former secretary general who arranged their meeting, on charges including violations of the Political Funds Act.

At the trial, both Nam and former council member Kim admitted to the charges. However, Kim’s attorney stated, "Even if the facts of the indictment are acknowledged, there is room for interpretation on some points." In contrast, Kang’s attorney explained, "It has only been a few days since I was appointed, so I have not yet reviewed the records or met with the defendant," adding that they would clarify their stance after reviewing the case files and conferring with the defendant.

According to the prosecution, ahead of the local elections, Assemblyman Kang instructed Nam to seek out prospective candidates. Former council member Kim decided to run for Seoul City Council in the Gangseo District’s 1st constituency and expressed her intention to run when she met Nam around October 2021. Nam reported Kim’s key credentials to Assemblyman Kang and otherwise assisted her.

Subsequently, in order to secure the nomination, Kim decided to provide money to Assemblyman Kang through Nam. After discussing the transfer of 100 million won with Nam, she reported this to Kang. Kang indicated his approval to Nam and asked him to arrange a meeting. Kim then wrapped 100 million won in cash in a shopping bag. Following a meeting at a hotel caf? with Kang and Nam, Kang had Nam transport the cash. Prosecutors believe that the three conspired to exchange illicit favors related to candidate recommendation, and that they received 100 million won in cash, exceeding the legal limit set by the Political Funds Act.

Previously, Assemblyman Kang and former council member Kim were indicted and detained on March 27 on charges of exchanging 100 million won in cash at a hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, in January 2022, ahead of the local elections. At the time, Kang was a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim later became the sole Democratic Party candidate for Seoul City Council in Gangseo District and was elected. The court had previously issued arrest warrants for both, citing concerns over destruction of evidence, and also rejected Kang’s request for a review of his detention.

The next hearing is scheduled for 5 p.m. on May 29. Although Kang’s side requested about six weeks to prepare, the court denied the request, citing the need for a swift trial since the case involves detainees.