Money Given by Lawmaker Jang Can Be Traced

It has been confirmed that Uri Party lawmaker Jang Bok-sim gave support funds to party politicians in checks for 1 million won. Jang is suspected of bribing party politicians to earn the nomination for a proportional representation seat in the 17th general election.

The truth of the case is likely to come to light quickly if the prosecution sets to work in earnest.

Lawmakers Lee Mi-kyung, Lee Kyung-sook and Go Eun Gwang-soon, who received the money from Jang but gave it back right away, said the lawmaker handed over an envelope with a check for 1 million won and her name card.

Jang is known to have given checks in the same amount to other Uri politicians.

“Banks are obligated to record the transactions of checks for 1 million won for five years, therefore it will be easy for the prosecution to trace the source and usage of those checks,” said one prosecutor-turned-lawmaker on Sunday.

Meanwhile, it has been revealed that there are more Uri Party politicians who received money from Jang than has been reported in the press.

“Lawmaker Jang came several times to give quite a large sum of money during the nomination process, but we sent her back with a good scolding,” a key member of the Uri Party told Dong-a Ilbo. “But, I cannot disclose the amount of the money.”

Young-Chan Yoon Hoon Lee yyc11@donga.com dreamland@donga.com