Kim Byung-ki’s Summons Imminent: All-Night Questioning Over Spouse’s Corporate Card and Probes Into Close Aides

[Financial News] Investigations into a series of allegations surrounding independent lawmaker Kim Byung-ki are reaching a critical point. Police conducted an all-night interrogation of former Dongjak District Council member Cho Jin-hee, identified as the person who provided a corporate card to Kim’s spouse, and have also notified Kim himself to appear for questioning as a suspect.
According to police and other sources on the 10th, the Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit of the Metropolitan Investigation Unit at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) summoned Cho, the former district council member, as a suspect on charges including breach of trust in the course of duty at 10 a.m. the previous day. The questioning continued until 4:40 a.m. that day, lasting about 19 hours.
Between July and September 2022, Cho is suspected of handing over a Dongjak District Council business-expense corporate card to Kim’s spouse, identified only by the surname Lee, or paying meal costs in advance with that card on Lee’s behalf. Police believe Lee used the card for private purposes totaling about 1.59 million won and are examining how the card was provided and whether Kim Byung-ki was involved.
On the 19th of last month, investigators raided Cho’s residence and office, as well as the Dongjak District Council, seizing materials relevant to the case. They also carried out forensic screening of the seized items in the presence of Kim Byung-ki’s legal counsel.
Based on analysis of the materials and interviews with those involved, police have notified Kim Byung-ki to appear as a suspect and are coordinating the specific schedule for his questioning. The summons comes about a month and a half after the investigation began.
Park Jung-bo, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said at a recent regular press briefing, "There are many allegations involving Representative Kim, so multiple rounds of questioning may be necessary," adding, "Our principle is to summon him only after we have fully completed our preparations for the investigation."
Kim Byung-ki is under police investigation over a total of 13 allegations. They include receiving 30 million won in nomination funds from former Dongjak District Council members, seeking to secure a job for his second son at a virtual asset exchange, intervening in his second son’s transfer to Soongsil University, misusing a corporate card through his spouse and allegedly trying to derail the related investigation, and pressuring for personnel disadvantages against a former aide at Coupang.
Meanwhile, the probe into alleged nomination bribes in political circles is also entering its final phase. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office has requested pre-trial arrest warrants for independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo and former Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Kyung over the so-called "100 million won nomination funds" case, on charges including violations of the Political Funds Act and receiving and giving bribes in breach of duty.
Kim Kyung could face a court hearing to review his arrest warrant as early as the 11th or 12th. By contrast, Kang Sun-woo is a sitting member of the National Assembly and is protected by parliamentary immunity, so the court can review the arrest warrant only if a motion to arrest is approved at a plenary session of the National Assembly.

425_sama@fnnews.com Choi Seung-han Reporter