Gyeongsangnam-do Province governor released after 15 hours of questioning over 'Druking' scandal
- 6 years ago
After more than 18 hours,... the governor of Gyeongsangnam-do Province returned home early Tuesday.... after being held for questioning over his suspected involvement in an online comment-rigging scandal.
Oh Soo-young has more.
After nearly 15 hours and 100 pages of questions,... special prosecutors wrapped up their questioning the governor of Gyeongsangnam-do Province, who they've classified as a suspect in an explosive online political maneuvering scandal.
As he returned home before the break of dawn on Tuesday, 18 hours after his arrival , Kim Kyoung-soo told reporters he didn't believe prosecutors had much of a case against him.
"I don't think they uncovered any strong evidence of wrongdoing."
The special counsel suspects the 50 year-old governor colluded with an influential blogger nicknamed Druking, who rigged online political comments in favor of the now-ruling Democratic Party, in the lead up to last year's presidential election.
They suspect Kim became involved after attending a presentation in 2016,... where the blogger showcased his data manipulation software called "King Crab" that can automatically increase the number of "likes" on online comments.
During the interrogation, the governor is said to have vehemently denied any wrongdoing, including attending the software demonstration or having any knowledge of the rigging activities,... though he admitted to visiting the blogger's office several times.
Kim also rebuffed accusations he'd offered a government position to one of Druking's associates in return for the blogger's support during the recent local elections.
He did say, however, that there had been disagreements on appointing government officials,... an issue that's believed to have turned the blogger against Kim and the ruling party,... and prompting Druking to bump up comments supporting the conservatives instead.
Prior to the questioning session, the special counsel said it had procured substantive evidence against the governor, showing he'd requested information from Druking on various occasions.
Due to his strong denial of the allegations,... some expect the special counsel to request an arrest warrant for the governor as early this week, as he may attempt to destroy evidence.
Investigators are also likely to focus their attention on Song In-bae, the presidential secretary for political affairs, who's known to have introduced Kim to the blogger.
The so-called Druking case has embarrassed the ruling party,... as two of President Moon Jae-in's close associates have been implicated in the scandal.
It has slammed the special counsel for stirring up the media with ungrounded allegations.
Opposition parties, meanwhile, have requested a rigorous investigation,... proposing the 60-day probe be extended when it expires later this month.
Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.
Oh Soo-young has more.
After nearly 15 hours and 100 pages of questions,... special prosecutors wrapped up their questioning the governor of Gyeongsangnam-do Province, who they've classified as a suspect in an explosive online political maneuvering scandal.
As he returned home before the break of dawn on Tuesday, 18 hours after his arrival , Kim Kyoung-soo told reporters he didn't believe prosecutors had much of a case against him.
"I don't think they uncovered any strong evidence of wrongdoing."
The special counsel suspects the 50 year-old governor colluded with an influential blogger nicknamed Druking, who rigged online political comments in favor of the now-ruling Democratic Party, in the lead up to last year's presidential election.
They suspect Kim became involved after attending a presentation in 2016,... where the blogger showcased his data manipulation software called "King Crab" that can automatically increase the number of "likes" on online comments.
During the interrogation, the governor is said to have vehemently denied any wrongdoing, including attending the software demonstration or having any knowledge of the rigging activities,... though he admitted to visiting the blogger's office several times.
Kim also rebuffed accusations he'd offered a government position to one of Druking's associates in return for the blogger's support during the recent local elections.
He did say, however, that there had been disagreements on appointing government officials,... an issue that's believed to have turned the blogger against Kim and the ruling party,... and prompting Druking to bump up comments supporting the conservatives instead.
Prior to the questioning session, the special counsel said it had procured substantive evidence against the governor, showing he'd requested information from Druking on various occasions.
Due to his strong denial of the allegations,... some expect the special counsel to request an arrest warrant for the governor as early this week, as he may attempt to destroy evidence.
Investigators are also likely to focus their attention on Song In-bae, the presidential secretary for political affairs, who's known to have introduced Kim to the blogger.
The so-called Druking case has embarrassed the ruling party,... as two of President Moon Jae-in's close associates have been implicated in the scandal.
It has slammed the special counsel for stirring up the media with ungrounded allegations.
Opposition parties, meanwhile, have requested a rigorous investigation,... proposing the 60-day probe be extended when it expires later this month.
Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.