Police Complete First Round of Questioning of ‘Nomination Bribe’ Suspect Kim Kyung, Considering Second Summons

[The Financial News] Police have completed an initial round of questioning of Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Kyung, who is accused of handing 100 million won in bribes to then-Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmaker Kang Sun-woo, and are now considering whether to summon him again.
According to police on the 12th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Public Crime Investigation Division summoned Council member Kim late the previous afternoon and questioned him on why the money was delivered, whether the cash was in fact returned as Representative Kang claims, and related circumstances. Investigators also looked into why he ultimately received the party nomination even if the money was returned.
Council member Kim is suspected of handing over 100 million won in 2022, ahead of the local elections, through Nam Mo, then-Secretary-General of Representative Kang’s office, on charges including bribery. Kim later secured an uncontested nomination at a meeting of the Candidate Nomination Management Committee attended by Representative Kang.
Police questioned him for about three and a half hours that day but were unable to go through all of their prepared questions, and therefore plan to coordinate a schedule with Kim’s side for a second summons.
The questioning of Council member Kim came 13 days after an audio recording containing the nomination bribe allegations was made public on December 29, and about four hours after he appeared at the airport arrival hall.
When the police investigation began, Council member Kim left for the United States of America (U.S.), prompting allegations that he was attempting to flee. While staying in the U.S., he submitted a written statement through his attorney admitting to the charges, but investigators also detected signs of evidence destruction, including repeated deletion of Telegram messages.
After his return, police carried out search and seizure operations at two of Council member Kim’s residences, his City Council office, Representative Kang’s residence, and her office in the Members' Office Building of the National Assembly.
425_sama@fnnews.com Choi Seung-han Reporter