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The Start of the Coin Gate Trial
The legal saga surrounding Kim Nam-guk, the former lawmaker from South Korea’s Democratic Party, has officially commenced in Seoul. The first hearing took place on October 28 at the Seoul Southern District Court located in Yangcheon, as reported by Herald Kyungjae. Kim is at the center of the crypto-themed scandal known as “Coin Gate.”
Prosecutors’ Allegations Against Kim
In this trial, prosecutors have leveled serious accusations against Kim, claiming he obstructed official duties. They allege that he concealed substantial sums of cryptocurrency and submitted inaccurate asset declarations. Although Kim has faced earlier allegations of insider trading linked to confidential information obtained while serving on National Assembly committees, the prosecution has since dropped these particular charges, citing a lack of sufficient evidence.
The current focus of the prosecution is on claims that Kim misled a political ethics committee to hide the profits derived from his crypto investments. Kim and his legal team assert that he is innocent, describing the prosecution’s case as “unfounded.” They acknowledge that while Kim should take political and moral responsibility for his actions, he has not breached any laws.
Reforms in the Wake of Scandal
The Coin Gate scandal has prompted South Korea to implement new measures requiring lawmakers and senior civil servants to declare their cryptocurrency holdings. As a result, many politicians with crypto investments have liquidated their assets, now holding minimal amounts of what has been termed “crypto dust.” Following the controversy, Kim left the Democratic Party but was poised to return as plans for a merger with a smaller political party emerged.
Kim Nam-guk’s Defense
During the court proceedings, Kim addressed the presiding judge, asserting his commitment to lawful conduct since the beginning of his political career. He emphasized, “I had absolutely no intention to interfere with the duties of public officials,” and he expressed confidence in his adherence to the Public Official Ethics Act regarding asset reporting.
Claims of Rights Violations
Further elaborating on his defense, Kim contended that the prosecution’s case violates his legal rights as ensured by the Constitution. He recounted being abruptly summoned by prosecutors in August of the previous year, during which he was interrogated about his asset declarations without clear explanations. This sudden indictment, he argued, significantly hindered his ability to mount a proper defense.
After leaving the courtroom, Kim criticized the prosecution’s actions as unreasonable and based on faulty logic, alleging that he has been the target of an intense media assault.
Prosecution’s Research and Claims
Prosecutors allege that Kim concealed substantial profits from his crypto investments in 2021 and 2022 by manipulating the transfer of assets between his cryptocurrency wallets and bank accounts. The intent behind these actions, they argue, was to obstruct the National Assembly Ethics Committee’s investigation into lawmakers’ asset holdings.
In 2023, federal prosecutors initiated a comprehensive inquiry into Kim, which included data seizures from major crypto exchanges like Bithumb and Upbit, as well as raids on offices belonging to Kakao’s blockchain affiliates to scrutinize transaction specifics.
Accusations of a Conflict of Interest
Beyond the obstruction charges, Kim was initially the subject of potential violations of the Political Funds Act due to suspicions of using undisclosed insider information for trading. Reports have emerged that Kim engaged in cryptocurrency trading during a National Assembly standing committee meeting, which intensified scrutiny during the ongoing Coin Gate scandal.
Additionally, Kim is accused of cultivating relationships with cryptocurrency companies and leveraging his political influence to advocate for legislation concerning video games and crypto assets. This has raised further questions about potential conflicts of interest during his tenure.
Ultimately, Kim voluntarily left the Democratic Party before briefly rejoining in May, amidst the political upheaval and controversies surrounding his actions.
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