Police: "Of the 13 allegations against Kim Byung-gi, we will first conclude those where charges can be determined"

According to The Financial News, police announced that in the case of independent lawmaker Kim Byung-gi, who faces 13 allegations including receiving nomination bribes, they will first reach conclusions on the allegations where they can already determine whether charges are warranted and then refer those to the prosecution.
Park Jeong-bo, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA), said at a regular briefing on the 6th, "In some areas, the investigation has progressed to the point where we can determine whether charges exist, so we will soon reach conclusions on the allegations where such determinations are possible."
Park added, "Because additional investigative steps may be required during the legal review process, it is difficult to specify an exact date," stressing, "It is not realistic to refer all 13 allegations at once. What we are deciding is to first refer the cases where the presence or absence of criminal charges has been confirmed."
On the 2nd, the Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency conducted a fifth round of questioning of Kim on charges including bribery. Police plan to summon him again for additional questioning this week. Based on the statements obtained through these further summons, investigators will consider whether to seek custody of Kim, his family members, and close associates.
The allegations surrounding Kim first emerged last September, when reports surfaced that his second son had received preferential treatment in a transfer to Soongsil University. The probe has since expanded to include suspected nomination bribes, influence-peddling for his son’s employment, and alleged misuse of a corporate credit card by his spouse and attempts to quash related investigations, bringing the total to 13 allegations now under investigation.
Police are also investigating People Power Party (PPP) lawmaker Cho Jung-hoon over alleged receipt of nomination bribes. Park said, "We are summoning and questioning those involved," and emphasized, "We will proceed swiftly with the investigation in accordance with due process."
Authorities intend to take the same approach in the case of Jeon Han-gil, a former Korean history instructor and YouTuber who has been accused of defaming President Lee Jae-myung and Reform Party (RP) leader Lee Jun-seok, by first concluding the matters where they can already determine whether charges are warranted. Park noted, "Additional complaints continue to be filed," and added, "It appears we can already make determinations on some of the allegations, so we plan to reach conclusions on those sequentially."
425_sama@fnnews.com Choi Seung-han Reporter