Kim Byung-gi returns to police after six months: “I will prove I did nothing wrong”

[Financial News] Independent lawmaker Kim Byung-gi, who is under investigation over various allegations of misconduct, returned to the police after more than six months and maintained that he had done nothing wrong. The police plan to revisit the allegations against Kim based on the supplemental investigation conducted after the arrest warrant was returned.
The Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Metropolitan Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency summoned Kim as a suspect on the 31st and is questioning him.
Kim arrived at the Mapo Police Office of the Metropolitan Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency at around 9:55 a.m. that day. “I have been suffering disadvantages that I cannot fully put into words,” he said, adding, “I will thoroughly explain my case and prove that I am innocent.”
The police plan to establish the facts surrounding all 13 allegations against Kim that day. The investigation includes allegations that he intervened in his second son’s transfer to Soongsil University and hiring process at Jinwoo Sanjeon, and that he provided favors to a related company in return for his son’s employment.
The investigation also covers allegations that he received nomination bribes from former Dongjak District councilors ahead of the 2020 general election and later returned the money, as well as allegations that he turned a blind eye to lawmaker Kang Sun-woo’s receipt of nomination bribes.
Other allegations include that he intervened in a police investigation into his spouse’s alleged misuse of the Dongjak District Council’s business expense funds, and that he sought adverse personnel treatment for former aides after they were hired by Coupang. Kim has denied the allegations.
Last month, the police sought an arrest warrant for Kim on charges including bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes and obstruction of business. Four days later, the Seoul Central District Prosecution Office called for further investigation, saying the need for his detention had not been sufficiently substantiated.
The police later summoned a former aide and the local committee’s office manager at the time of the nomination-bribery allegations as witnesses, and further reviewed related statements and materials.
The police are expected to decide whether to refer each charge to prosecutors and whether to seek an arrest warrant again after reviewing the day’s questioning and the results of the supplemental investigation.

[email protected] Yoon Hong-jip Reporter