Police: "We have notified Kim Byung-ki to appear and are coordinating the date ... likely to summon him multiple times"

[Financial News] Police have requested the appearance of independent lawmaker Kim Byung-ki, who is embroiled in a series of allegations including abuse of power and favoritism. Given the sheer volume of accusations against him, investigators do not expect to complete the questioning in a single session.
Park Jung-bo, commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA), said at a regular briefing on the 9th, "We have notified Representative Kim to appear and are currently coordinating the date," adding, "It seems we will need to summon him multiple times."
Since December last year, police have been investigating 13 separate cases related to abuse-of-power allegations involving Kim. He faces suspicions including: receiving 30 million won in nomination bribes from former Dongjak District council members; exerting influence to secure a job for his second son at a virtual asset exchange; intervening in his second son's transfer to Soongsil University; and involvement in the alleged misuse of a Dongjak District Council corporate card by his wife, identified by the surname Lee, as well as attempts to stifle the related investigation.
Over the past month or so, police have continued to summon people around Kim for questioning and have carried out search-and-seizure operations. However, Kim himself, the central figure in the allegations, has not been summoned even once, prompting criticism that the investigation is moving too slowly.
Regarding this, Commissioner Park explained, "There is simply so much to investigate," and added, "The act of summoning itself is not what matters. The principle is to call someone in only after we have fully prepared the investigation."
Police are also looking into separate personal misconduct allegations involving former Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Kyung, who is implicated in the nomination-bribe case. Kim is suspected of having secured numerous Seoul-related public contracts through a company run by his family.
Commissioner Park stated, "The case is at the pre-indictment inquiry (internal investigation) stage," and continued, "So many allegations have been raised that we are checking them carefully so none are overlooked. There are difficulties, but we are examining the matter thoroughly."
On the Coupang personal data leak incident, the investigation is nearing its final stage. Park said, "Only the questioning of the suspects remains," noting, "Several individuals have been booked as suspects; some are currently being questioned, and many are overseas, so we have put in place measures to be notified when they enter the country."
Asked whether Bom Kim, chairman of Coupang, Inc., is also among those subject to notification upon entry, Park replied, "Yes."

425_sama@fnnews.com Choi Seung-han Reporter