A motion demanding disciplinary action has been introduced against Seoul City Council member Kim Kyung, who is embroiled in allegations of bribery for nomination.
Shin Dong-won, Chairperson of the Special Committee on Ethics of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, said a motion demanding disciplinary action against the city council member Kim was introduced and reported to the council chair.
The motion cites five violations by the city council member Kim: ▲ acceptance of nomination donations ▲ failure to report official overseas activity for National Assembly work and abuse of authority ▲ false relocation of party members' residence for registration ▲ mobilization of party members by paying party dues on their behalf ▲ misappropriation of business promotion expenses and false reporting.
Chairperson Shin judged there is a strong possibility that the actions of the city council member Kim seriously violated multiple rules, including the duty of integrity under the Local Autonomy Act.
The city council member Kim is suspected of delivering 100 million won to the office of Rep. Kang Sun-woo, who was a nomination management commissioner for the Seoul chapter of the Democratic Party of Korea during the 2022 local elections. The city council member Kim also submitted to police a written statement saying 100 million won was given and then returned.
Chairperson Shin viewed that the city council member Kim's act of obtaining an access badge for the U.S.-held IT and electronics show "CES 2026" in the capacity of a commissioner of the Culture. Sports. and Tourism Committee of the city council, yet making no report to the council, constituted a failure to report official overseas activity.
Other allegations included in the motion are that while active in Gangseo District, the city council member Kim either had someone else use or falsely recorded business promotion expenses by making payments in Bangbae-dong, Seocho District, and that to prepare for an intraparty primary, religious group members were recruited as party members and were coaxed with offers to pay their party dues on their behalf.
Chairperson Shin said, "The Seoul Metropolitan Council will proceed with the disciplinary review without a hitch under relevant rules, based on strict ethical standards, to ensure a fair judgment."
Shin added, "Given the urgency, we plan to convene the Ethics Review Advisory Committee this week for an emergency session to hear opinions on disciplinary action against the city council member Kim."
The Special Committee on Ethics submits a disciplinary motion to the plenary session based on the advisory committee's opinion. If the motion is approved at the plenary session, the discipline is finalized. Considering that the council's first plenary session of the year is the 334th extraordinary session from Feb. 24 to Mar. 13, a decision on whether to discipline the city council member Kim could come as early as next month.
There are four disciplinary measures for city council members: warning, apology, suspension from attendance for up to 30 days, and expulsion. With the People Power Party holding 74 of the 111 seats in the Seoul Metropolitan Council, the city council member Kim appears likely to face a high level of discipline.