A former Dongjak District council member, identified as A, who wrote a petition claiming to have handed over "nomination donations" to Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Byung-kee, appeared as a suspect before the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit on the afternoon of the 8th to be questioned by police.
A, upon arrival, only said to reporters, "I will faithfully undergo questioning. I will speak inside." A's attorney, however, said, "The petition states that 10 million won was delivered," adding, "Aside from what is in the petition, nothing was exchanged with Kim's side."
Kim is suspected of receiving 10 million won and 20 million won, respectively, from former Dongjak District council members A and B ahead of the 2020 21st National Assembly election (general election) as an implied quid pro quo to look favorably on them during future nominations, and then returning the money after three to five months.
In Dec. 2023, A and B are said to have submitted a petition through former Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Lee Soo-jin to the office of then party leader Lee Jae-myung, stating that they gave nomination donations to Kim's side and later got the money back. Lee said she submitted the petition to Kim Hyun-ji, then an aide in Lee Jae-myung's office and now the first presidential secretary's office chief at the presidential office, but claims it was ignored.
Police plan to question A about the circumstances under which money was handed to Kim's side. Police also plan to summon on the 9th former Dongjak District council member B, who said the 20 million won delivered to Kim's wife was later returned.