Recording in Kim Kyung lobbying case names multiple Democratic Party lawmakers... Police expand probe

[The Financial News] Police investigating allegations that former Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Kyung lobbied politicians have found that the names of several Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers appear in phone recordings stored on a so-called "golden PC," and the probe is now expected to widen.
According to reporting by The Financial News on the 31st, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Public Crime Investigation Division analyzed about 120 phone recordings recovered from the PC used by Kim. Investigators concluded that, in discussions over party nominations, the names of roughly seven to nine Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers were mentioned. Most of these lawmakers represent districts in Seoul, and some are classified as senior lawmakers with enough clout to influence nominations.
The recordings reportedly capture Kim speaking with former Seoul Metropolitan Council chairperson Yang and with Kim Seong-yeol, then an aide to lawmaker Noh Woong-rae and later Senior Supreme Council Member of the Reform Party of South Korea, discussing "whom to approach and how." Parts of the conversations are said to highlight personal ties with certain lawmakers, while other sections include exchanges assessing some lawmakers by saying they "do not accept money."
So far, police believe the only person for whom an actual flow of money has been confirmed is former chairperson Yang. During questioning, Kim admitted handing over several million won to Yang, but reportedly testified that it was not a bribe in exchange for a nomination and was not passed on to any specific lawmaker. Former chairperson Yang and the lawmakers mentioned in the recordings also maintain that they committed no illegal acts.
However, police view the overall content of the recordings as a key clue in determining whether there were attempts to lobby for nominations, and are continuing to verify the facts, focusing on the individuals named. This is being examined alongside Kim's earlier statement that he gave 100 million won to independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo, as investigators look into whether there were additional lobbying efforts during the Gangseo District mayoral by-election.
Based on the recording analysis and witness statements, police are reviewing how to handle Kim's custody status, while also indicating that, if necessary, they may expand the investigation to the political establishment more broadly.

425_sama@fnnews.com Choi Seung-han Reporter