As police face criticism for a "slow investigation" into alleged nomination donations involving independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo and Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Kyung, Seoul Metropolitan Police Commissioner Park Jeong-bo said, "From the police's standpoint, there are aspects that feel unfair."

At a regular press briefing on the 12th, Commissioner Park said, "There are requirements and procedures, and we investigated accordingly," and stated accordingly.

Kim Kyung, a Seoul Metropolitan Council member, returns through Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 on the 11th. /Courtesy of News1

Police imposed an overseas travel ban on Rep. Kang and Councilor Kim on the day. Rep. Kang, who served on the Democratic Party of Korea Seoul chapter's nomination committee during the 2022 local elections, is suspected of receiving 100 million won in nomination donations from Councilor Kim in exchange for a nomination and later returning it.

Councilor Kim left for the United States on the 31st of last month after a complaint was filed with police. Kim stayed in the United States for more than 10 days, even looking around the IT and home appliance exhibition "CES 2026," and returned the previous day.

Commissioner Park said, "A complaint (against Councilor Kim) was filed through the Government of Korea e-People system," adding, "It has to go to the Korean National Police Agency, be assigned to an investigative unit, and then an investigator has to be designated in KICS (Korean Integrated Criminal Justice Information System). It usually takes three to four days." He went on, "It was assigned in KICS on Jan. 2," and said, "Even though it was a holiday, it actually happened quickly."

He added, "There is also a procedure for an overseas travel ban," and said, "There are steps that must be taken through the prosecution and the Ministry of Justice, so from the police's standpoint, there are aspects that feel a bit unfair."

On the 11th, staff from a lawmaker's office and police officers enter the office of Rep. Kang Sun-woo at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul. /Courtesy of News1

Commissioner Park also said that the investigation related to Rep. Kang "was assigned in KICS on Jan. 2, and the search and seizure conducted the day before took place within a few days," adding, "We are continuing to carry out the necessary investigation."

Still, despite the police explanation, criticism has not ceased that the police are failing to investigate proactively, given that both Rep. Kang and Councilor Kim acknowledged that 100 million won changed hands.

In particular, while Kim was in the United States, indications emerged that Kim withdrew from and rejoined Telegram twice and discarded or replaced a mobile phone, raising concerns about destruction of evidence.

On Dec. 30 last year, then Democratic Party of Korea floor leader Kim Byung-kee, after stating his position on various allegations of favoritism and abuse of power involving himself and his family at a floor countermeasures meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, puts the statement into his pocket. /Courtesy of News1

Regarding the controversy over a "slow investigation" and a "lenient investigation" into Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Byung-kee, Commissioner Park said, "We understand it as a call to conduct a thorough investigation and uncover the substantive truth," adding, "We will not waver and will work to reveal the substantive truth."

Earlier, allegations were raised that the Dongjak Police Station obtained a petition accusing the lawmaker of taking nomination donations and then buried it. There were also allegations that the lawmaker viewed materials from a preliminary inquiry (pre-booking investigation) into suspected misuse of business promotion expenses by the council of Dongjak District by the lawmaker's spouse. Commissioner Park said, "We are reviewing through an investigative audit whether there were flaws in the procedures."

So far, 23 complaints have been filed regarding 12 allegations involving the lawmaker and their family. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crimes Investigation Unit is handling the case exclusively.

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