Police question 34 people over alleged nomination bribe involving Kim Kyung: “We will conduct a swift investigation”

[The Financial News] Police investigating an alleged nomination bribe have summoned and questioned a total of 34 people in connection with Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Kyung.
On the 19th, Park Seong-ju, head of the National Office of Investigation at the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA), stated at a regular press briefing held at KNPA headquarters in Seodaemun District, Seoul, that “so far, we have questioned a total of 34 people, including suspects and witnesses, in relation to Council member Kim.”
Council member Kim is suspected of having delivered 100 million won to then Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmaker Kang Sun-woo through former secretary-general Nam ahead of the 2022 local elections in exchange for a party nomination. The allegation surfaced after an audio recording was released in which Kang is heard discussing the 100 million won she received from Kim with DPK lawmaker Kim Byung-kee.
In particular, Kim, identified as a key figure in the allegations, left the country on the 31st of last month—two days after a criminal complaint was filed—saying he was going to the United States of America (U.S.) to visit a child staying there, prompting controversy over a departure seen as an attempt to flee. While in the U.S., he was also found to have deleted his Telegram account and then rejoined, raising suspicions of evidence destruction.
However, police have taken a cautious stance on whether to apply the charge of destruction of evidence to Council member Kim.
“We have conducted a total of three rounds of questioning of Council member Kim so far,” Park said, adding, “Additional investigation is needed as necessary, so it is difficult to say at this point whether the charge will be applied.” He went on to say, “Any decision on seeking an arrest warrant will also have to wait until further investigation is carried out.”
Police have also summoned and questioned a total of eight people, including suspects and witnesses, in connection with lawmaker Kang. At the same time, they are investigating Kim Byung-kee, former floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), over a series of allegations. To date, 29 criminal complaints have been filed in relation to the former parliamentary leader, encompassing 13 allegations in total, including receiving a nomination bribe in the local elections, involvement in his second son’s transfer to Soongsil University, and the private use of Dongjak District Council business promotion expenses by his spouse.
Regarding criticism that the investigation into this case has been slow, Park has pledged to thoroughly get to the bottom of the allegations through a swift probe.
“Our principle of conducting prompt investigations into all raised allegations applies without exception to any case,” he emphasized. “In this case as well, we will proceed with the investigation expeditiously in order to uncover the substantive truth behind the allegations.”
welcome@fnnews.com Jang Yu-ha Reporter