Former Seoul Metropolitan Council Member Kim Kyung Appears for Fourth Police Questioning: "I Will Sincerely Cooperate with the Investigation"

[The Financial News] Former Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Kyung, who is suspected of having provided money and valuables to figures in the ruling camp ahead of the 2022 local elections and the 2023 by-election for Mayor of Gangseo District Office in Seoul, has appeared before the police again.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) Public Crime Investigation Unit summoned Kim on the morning of the 29th for questioning as a suspect. This is his fourth interrogation, following his first summons on the 11th and additional sessions on the 15th and 18th.
Arriving at the SMPA Mapo office at about 9:40 a.m., Kim said, "I apologize for causing concern to the people," adding, "All I can do now is to faithfully cooperate with the investigation."
However, he did not answer reporters' questions about whether he had provided money or valuables to politicians other than independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo, whether he used a family business or acquaintances to make donations under borrowed names or by splitting them up, or whether he had discussed a nomination bribe with former Reform Party (South Korea) Senior Supreme Council Member Kim Seong-yeol. He headed straight to the interrogation room instead.
In the questioning, police plan to again verify allegations that Kim gave 100 million won to then–Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kang Sun-woo as a nomination bribe ahead of the 2022 local elections. They also intend to closely examine whether he provided money or valuables to figures in the ruling camp ahead of the 2023 by-election for Mayor of Gangseo District Office.
Recently, police completed forensic analysis of a computer used by Kim's side, known as the "Golden PC," and are reviewing related audio files. The PC is said to have contained more than 120 recorded phone calls with political figures.
In connection with this, the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission received a report that Kim had provided money and valuables to Democratic Party of Korea figures and referred the case to police on the 19th. The recordings obtained by investigators reportedly include conversations in which Kim appears to discuss potential recipients of the funds, as well as indications that the names of several incumbent lawmakers were mentioned.
Through the latest questioning, police plan to determine how the existing nomination bribe allegations are connected to the additional lobbying suspicions, and then consider whether to summon Kim again or conduct face-to-face confrontational questioning among those involved.
425_sama@fnnews.com Choi Seung-han Reporter