Police Raid Home and Office of Lawmaker Kim Byung-kee over Alleged Nomination Bribe, Launch Compulsory Investigation

[Financial News] Police investigating allegations that Kim Byung-kee received illicit funds in exchange for a party nomination have launched a compulsory investigation into the lawmaker.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Public Crime Investigation Division announced that starting at around 7:55 a.m. on the 14th, it had dispatched investigators to six locations, including Kim’s residence, to conduct search-and-seizure operations as part of a probe into alleged violations of the Political Funds Act.
According to police, the targets of the raids include Kim himself, his wife, identified only by her surname Lee, and a sitting Dongjak District Council member who is known as Kim’s closest aide.
Kim is suspected of having received a total of 30 million won in cash—10 million won and 20 million won respectively—from two former Dongjak District Council members in return for securing them party nominations for district council seats in the 2020 general election, and of later returning the money. Police are investigating how the money was delivered and returned, and whether there was any quid pro quo involved.
Separately, police are also looking into several other allegations surrounding Kim. These include: alleged interference in his second son’s transfer to Soongsil University; allegations that his wife privately misused district council business promotion expenses and that there was an attempt to stifle the investigation; allegations that he received hotel accommodation vouchers from Korean Air and demanded special protocol; controversy over an expensive meal with the CEO of Coupang; allegations that he intervened in his eldest son’s hiring by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and mobilized his parliamentary aides for NIS-related work; and allegations of preferential treatment at a hospital in his constituency.
The raids took place shortly after Kim announced that he would file an appeal against the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Ethics Committee’s decision to expel him. Kim had previously stated that he would not voluntarily leave the party.
Police plan to analyze the seized materials to determine whether there were violations of the Political Funds Act and to establish the extent of involvement of those implicated.
425_sama@fnnews.com Choi Seung-han Reporter