A newly elected lawmaker who was in charge of public relations for the minor People's Party ahead of the April 13 polls denied allegations that she personally embezzled funds, but did not elaborate on the whereabouts of the money prosecutors suspect she handled.
The remark came amid suspicions that Rep. Kim Su-min of the minor opposition party had received unreported funds from local advertisement companies that could have been used to support the party's election campaign.
The Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office raised the possibility that Kim may have received some 178 million won ($151,000) from local advertisement firms by forging contracts.
The 30-year-old representative is the youngest lawmaker in the 20th National Assembly.
"In order to reveal the truth, I will faithfully cooperate with any investigation," Kim said.
She, however, declined to comment on the details about the alleged funds and their eventual usage, but clarified that she did not use the funds personally.
Political pundits said the issue is set to emerge as a major drag on the young party that grabbed a surprising 38 seats in the general election.
Ahn Cheol-soo, co-chairman of the minor opposition People's Party and a potential presidential candidate, is also set to face hurdles in his ambitions if the allegation turn out to be true, they added. (Yonhap)
