The controversy surrounding Democratic Party (DP) lawmaker Kim Nam-kuk’s virtual currency investment continues to grow, with increasing demands from within the party for an additional explanation and a public apology. Local media reported that the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), South Korea’s financial crime watchdog, identified potential irregularities last year in Kim’s cryptocurrency trading and subsequently provided related data to the prosecution.

Kim has faced significant media attention over the past few days after it was discovered that he possessed approximately 800,000 Wemix coins in his digital wallet between January and February last year, which were valued at about $4.5 million (6 billion won) at the time. It is alleged that he withdrew all the coins from his digital wallet prior to the implementation of the Travel Rule in March last year. This rule mandates virtual asset brokers or market operators to report the identities of sellers and buyers to financial authorities for transactions valued at $750 (1 million won) or more.