Police launched a compulsory investigation into allegations that the wife of Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Byung-kee was involved in the misuse of business promotion expenses.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit has been executing search and seizure warrants at three locations, including the residence of a former Dongjak District Council member surnamed Cho and the Dongjak District Council, since 7 a.m. on the 19th.
Kim's wife, a person surnamed Lee, has faced allegations of using a corporate card for business promotion expenses issued under former district council member Cho's name for personal purposes from July to September 2022. The Dongjak Police Station in Seoul conducted a preliminary inquiry into the allegations last year and closed the case citing insufficient evidence, but as concerns arose over a possible sloppy investigation, police reopened the case.
There are also allegations that Kim received internal inquiry materials, and that he sought to have the investigation quashed by asking the Dongjak police chief through a lawmaker who was a former senior police official from the ruling party under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration at the time. Police recently questioned the Dongjak Station Head of Team, suspected of leaking a statement record to Kim's side, as a suspect.
Police plan to analyze the seized materials to determine who actually used the corporate card for business promotion expenses and for what purposes. They also plan to summon those involved in the case in sequence, including the former district council member Cho.