▲ Ulsan Mayor Kim Sang-wook, who is under police investigation over allegations including overseas prostitution and violations of the Public Official Election Act, answers reporters' questions after completing his first police questioning on October 4.
Ulsan Mayor Kim Sang-wook, who faces allegations including violations of the Public Official Election Act and prostitution, appeared before the police this morning (October 4) and underwent about three hours of questioning.
After finishing the questioning at the Ulsan Metropolitan Police Agency, Mayor Kim told reporters, "We discussed several matters, and since these are issues that can be clarified, I provided sufficient explanations."
Earlier, Mayor Kim arrived at the Ulsan Metropolitan Police Agency at around 8 a.m. today.
When asked by reporters about the reason for his appearance, Mayor Kim said, "Accusations have been indiscriminately filed despite the fact that I have not violated the law." He added, "Various rumors have also spread, causing a deeply humiliating situation personally and resulting in side effects that confuse citizens."
He further stated, "I hope this police investigation serves as an opportunity to set these wrongful things right."
This marks the first time Mayor Kim has appeared before the police for questioning.
Today's questioning was reportedly focused on allegations of violating the election law.
Mayor Kim's alleged violation of the election law is related to the suspension of opinion polls during the candidate unification process between the Democratic Party of Korea and the Progressive Party during the June 3 local elections this year.
At the time, candidate Kim Sang-wook's camp declared the suspension of the opinion polls, stating, "Circumstances suspected of organized intervention by certain forces are being discovered." Afterward, the Progressive Party accepted a re-primary, and candidate Kim Sang-wook was determined as the single candidate and elected mayor.
In response, the People Power Party's Ulsan City Chapter filed a complaint with the police against Mayor Kim for publicizing false facts under the Public Official Election Act and obstruction of business under the Criminal Act.
The core of the complaint is that Mayor Kim influenced the election by announcing that an opinion polling agency had discovered unusual circumstances and suspended the polls, even though no organized intervention by a specific force had been confirmed.
Mayor Kim is also reportedly accused in connection with allegations of prostitution in the Philippines.
In addition, a complaint has been filed with the police alleging that individuals connected to this suspicion handed over money and valuables to a specific person in an attempt to hush up the matter.
On October 3, Mayor Kim claimed via social networking services (SNS) that if the prostitution allegations and other suspicions surrounding him are proven groundless, the irresponsible individuals who raised the suspicions and engaged in false propaganda and agitation should take responsible actions, such as retiring from politics or resigning from their council positions.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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