Kim Seung-won Reported to Police Over 'Sexual Misconduct Allegations'; Civic Group Requests Investigation into Forcible Indecent Assault

[Financial News] A complaint has been filed with police over sexual misconduct allegations involving Kim Seung-won, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker who resigned as a nominee for minister of justice.
According to police and other sources on the 22nd, the Committee for the Protection of Ordinary People's Livelihood (Seominwi) submitted a complaint to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency that day, requesting an investigation into Kim on suspicion of forcible indecent assault.
In its complaint, the committee called for an investigation based on a petition reportedly submitted by one of Kim's former aides. The committee stated, "The petition says that an attendee protested at a drinking gathering attended by Kim around June 2024, claiming to have been sexually molested," and urged, "Please uncover the facts of the crime through a swift and thorough investigation."
After reviewing the complaint, police are expected to proceed with necessary steps, including assigning the case and securing related materials.
Go Beom-seok, chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said at a regular press briefing the previous day regarding the allegations of sexual misconduct involving Kim, "There must be materials that can serve as a starting point for an investigation," adding that it would be difficult to launch an investigation immediately based solely on allegations. However, he answered yes when asked whether an investigation could be conducted if specific charges were presented or a complaint was filed.
The allegations involving Kim emerged after he resigned as a nominee for minister of justice on the 19th. At the time, former aides submitted a petition to Cheong Wa Dae calling for Kim's nomination to be withdrawn, and reports said the petition contained allegations of sexual misconduct, drunk driving, and verbal abuse directed at aides. Kim resigned as a nominee on the 19th.
Kim's side previously stated regarding the allegations, "Rumors about the petition are either different from the facts or contain exaggerations and errors."

[email protected] Choi Seung-han Reporter