Democratic Party Kim Nam-kuk walks into his office in the National Assembly on Sunday. [YONHAP]
Democratic Party (DP) lawmaker Kim Nam-kuk, who has been at the center of controversy over his cryptocurrency investments, has announced that he is leaving the party.
Kim said he will continue to fight for his innocence as an independent lawmaker.
โI am very apologetic to my fellow party members, whom I respect,โ Kim said in a Facebook post on Sunday.
"Today I am temporarily leaving the Democratic Party that I love because I have come to the conclusion that it is not right to pass the burden on the party and its members."
Kim blamed the media for false articles about him over the past week and stressed that he will take legal action.
Noting the importance of next year's general election, Kim said he believes the controversial issues surrounding him should no longer affect the party's support.
โI will reveal the truth while fighting unfair political attacks as an independent lawmaker,โ Kim said.
Kim has been accused of trading cryptocurrencies, including during assembly sessions when he was supposed to be working, and of making investments that he previously denied.
Recent polls have shown that due to the controversy surrounding Kim, DP's support has dropped by double digits, especially among young people in their 20s and 30s.
BY LEE HO JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]
