Police Raid Kim Byung-kee Over Alleged Nomination Kickbacks...Probe Expands to Kang Sun-woo and Kim Kyung

[Financial News] Police have launched a full-scale compulsory investigation into various misconduct allegations surrounding Kim Byung-kee, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), including suspicions of nomination kickbacks. The probe is also expanding to cases involving Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Kyung and independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo, which arose from a 2022 local election nomination kickback case.
According to police on the 14th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Public Crime Investigation Division conducted search and seizure raids for about eight hours from that morning at six locations on suspicion of violations of the Political Funds Act. The sites included Kim’s residence, his office in the National Assembly Members' Office Building, his constituency office, and the homes of related individuals. Police are reported to have secured materials such as computers, mobile devices, ledgers, and documents. The search targets included not only Kim himself but also the home of his spouse, identified by the surname Lee, and the residence of a Dongjak District Council member, also surnamed Lee, who has been described as a close associate.
Kim is suspected of having received a total of 30 million won in alleged nomination kickbacks—10 million won from one former Dongjak District Council member and 20 million won from another—before the 2020 general election, and then later returning the money. A related petition is said to detail the circumstances under which the cash was delivered and subsequently returned.
On the same day, police summoned Kim’s former aide, identified as A, as a reference witness for additional questioning. Entering the interrogation room, A told reporters, “Several of the allegations against Representative Kim Byung-kee may be true, so I will explain them in sufficient detail so they can be proven.” A had also appeared before police last November and submitted a written statement describing how an internal inquiry into allegations related to Kim’s second son’s university transfer and employment, as well as suspicions over his spouse’s use of a corporate credit card, had been closed without further action.
The allegations surrounding Kim extend beyond nomination kickbacks and span multiple areas, including claims that he accepted hotel vouchers from Korean Air and demanded special protocol services; suspicions of an expensive meal and personnel meddling involving the CEO of Coupang; alleged interference in his eldest son’s hiring at the National Intelligence Service (NIS); and claims of preferential treatment at a local hospital. In total, 12 separate sets of allegations have led to 23 criminal complaints being filed.
Police are expected to analyze the seized materials and begin coordinating a schedule to summon Kim Byung-kee for questioning. Kim, however, maintains that he is innocent, stating, “I am innocent. Please give me an opportunity to explain myself.”
Police are also accelerating their investigation into Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Kyung, who is suspected of having delivered 100 million won in alleged nomination kickbacks to independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo during the 2022 local elections. In a written confession recently submitted to police, Kim Kyung is reported to have stated that Kang and her aide were present when the money was handed over. This contradicts the earlier explanation given by Kang’s side. Previously, Kang’s camp had claimed that she was not informed in advance about the cash delivery and that, after being briefed by her aide, she instructed that the money be returned. Kim Kyung is scheduled to appear before police as a suspect on the morning of the 15th. Based on the contents of his written confession, investigators plan to verify how the alleged nomination kickback was delivered, whether Kang was present at the scene, and whether there was any quid pro quo involved.
Kim Kyung returned from the United States on the 11th and, during his first round of questioning, is said to have partially admitted to some of the allegations before being allowed to go home. Earlier on the 11th, police carried out search and seizure raids at the residences and offices of both Kim Kyung and Kang Sun-woo, and they are also reported to have imposed overseas travel bans on the two lawmakers and related individuals.
425_sama@fnnews.com Choi Seung-han Reporter