Kim Byung-gi Announces Legal Action Against Former Aide: "Spreading False Information"

[Financial News] Independent lawmaker Kim Byung-gi, who is under police investigation over various alleged misconduct, has announced plans to file a defamation complaint against a former aide who has raised allegations against him.
Kim's side said in a statement on the 2nd, "We plan to file a complaint against former aide Kim, identified by his surname, on charges including defamation by stating false facts."
When Kim appeared at the police station that day, the former aide claimed that Kim had told people around him that he could evade a prosecutorial investigation and that he posed a flight risk because he had suddenly left during police questioning.
Kim's side stressed, "Although former aides repeatedly spread false information, we did not respond because the case was under investigation," adding, "We deeply regret the one-sided dissemination of false information and will, from now on, hold those responsible firmly accountable under the law." It continued, "Kim has fully cooperated with the investigation, appearing for police questioning seven times," and added, "Because his legislative activities and his family's daily lives have been seriously disrupted, he wants the investigation to conclude as quickly as possible."
Earlier that day, at around 1 p.m., the Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Metropolitan Investigation Unit at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency summoned the former aide for questioning as a witness.
Before questioning, the former aide told reporters, "The police did not seek an arrest warrant for a year, then applied for one as if they had been pushed into it," criticizing the move by saying, "I believe it was a face-saving request for an arrest warrant intended to be rejected."
Police are reportedly investigating the former aide over allegations that Kim tolerated preferential hiring for the lawmaker's second son at Jinwoo Sanjeon, tolerated independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo's alleged receipt of money for a nomination, and destroyed evidence.


[email protected] Choi Seung-han Reporter