High-profile opposition member arrested on election fund charges

SEOUL, Nov. 24 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors arrested on Monday a high-ranking
opposition party member accused of taking illicit election funds in a sensitive
investigation that he claims is politically motivated.
Kim Min-seok is suspected of receiving 450 million won (US$320,000) of illegal
funds from businessmen ahead of the presidential election in December and the
parliamentary elections in April. He held a sit-in protest at his party's
headquarters for almost two weeks as Democratic Party (DP) officials and
lawmakers fended off prosecutors who tried to take him into custody.
"Evidence supporting the allegations is apparent, and considering how he came to
receive the political funds, his relationship with the providers and the way he
has responded to the investigation, there are concerns that he may destroy the
evidence and flee," said Kim Yong-sang, a judge in charge of warrant issuance at
the Seoul Central District Court, renewing the arrest warrant.
The court issued the first arrest warrant on Nov. 14, but it expired as Kim
refused to appear in court and prosecutors were turned away by protesters at DP
headquarters.
Presecutors has condemned Kim and DP for hindering them from excuting the
official duties.
Ending the sit-in on Friday, Kim decided to appeare in court to face a hearing
and denied the allegations filed against him.
"I'm confident with my innocence," said Kim in a statement released on Friday. "I
will do my best to reveal the truth."
Kim, 44, failed to win a parliamentary seat in the April election and now serves
as a member of the party's decision-making supreme council.
brk@yna.co.kr
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