Review Committee Orders Fast Handling of Kim Byung-gi Case Within One Month

[Financial News] As investigations into a range of allegations surrounding independent lawmaker Kim Byung-gi have continued for 11 months, the Investigation Review Committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has ordered that the case be handled swiftly within one month.
The committee held its regular meeting at 3 p.m. on the 25th and said it had made the decision after reviewing the investigation into 13 allegations against Kim.
It explained, "However, if an extension of the processing deadline is unavoidable, the committee recommends that the specific reasons be clearly stated and that a request for an extension be submitted with a set deadline," adding, "The committee will carefully review the necessity of such a request."
The committee reviews requests filed by complainants and other related parties who object to the outcome or procedures of police investigations. It examines whether an investigation is complete, fair and appropriate. It can then recommend a reinvestigation, supplementary investigation or training for the officer in charge. Although its instructions are not binding, police are expected to speed up the handling of Kim's case, as the investigation has been delayed for a long time.
Earlier, the civic group Committee for the Protection of Ordinary People's Livelihood submitted a request for review on the 31st of last month, saying, "Even though the investigations of both the complainant and the accused have been completed, no conclusion has been reached for more than 11 months."
Kim is under investigation over 13 allegations, including a nomination bribe, interference in his second son's transfer to Soongsil University, a request to disadvantage a former aide in dealings with Coupang, preferential hiring for his eldest son at the National Intelligence Service (NIS), and preferential treatment at SMG-SNU Boramae Medical Center.
Park Jeong-bo, commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, also said at a regular press briefing the previous day, "Most of the necessary investigations have been completed, and we are now carrying out the procedures needed to close the case," adding, "We will do our best to finish it as quickly as possible."
[email protected] Seo Ji-yoon Reporter