Police to review calling in presidential secretary for allegedly taking bribes from Druking

Police said Monday it may call in a presidential secretary for questioning into his alleged bribery linked to an opinion-rigging scandal.

The police have been looking into the “Druking” scandal in which a blogger nicknamed Druking allegedly masterminded an illegal online campaign to manipulate the popularity of certain online comments to sway public opinion on the liberal Democratic Party of Korea and President Moon Jae-in.

The presidential aide, Song In-bae, who had also worked as an aide for former lawmaker Kim Kyoung-soo of the ruling party, is accused of receiving 2 million ($1,860) from Druking for attending a conference hosted by the blogger’s organization. 

“Before we forward the case to the prosecution, we will review whether to summon Song for inquiry,” Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Lee Ju-min said in a press meeting.

Cheong Wa Dae, while denying any links to the blogger, previously confirmed in an independent investigation that Song met with Druking four times before last year’s presidential election.

Former lawmaker Kim had also denied colluding with Druking when it was found that he had exchanged a couple of messages with the blogger via online messengers. Kim, who is currently running as a gubernatorial candidate for South Gyeongsang Province in the June 13 local elections, claimed it was Song who had introduced Druking to him.

“Druking testified on April 17 that he first met Kim through Song, and Kim also said the same thing when he was questioned on May 4,” Commissioner Lee said.

During the inquiries, Druking refused to explain to the police about the 2 million won that is suspected to have been handed to Song, Lee said.

The police may also call in Kim again for inquiry if needed, Lee added.

As of Monday, more than 32 people have been booked for charges related to the opinion-rigging scandal, according to the police.

The National Assembly passed a proposal to conduct a special counsel probe earlier in the month, after opposition parties raised issues over Druking’s ties with former ruling party lawmaker Kim and Song.

The special counsel probe is expected to be launched after the June local elections.

By Jo He-rim (herim@heraldcorp.com)