As allegations surfaced that the family of Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Kyung, who is under police investigation on suspicion of a "nomination bribe," received favoritism in the process of winning Seoul city projects, the city launched its own audit.
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on the 19th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon received a report on the allegations involving the council member at a senior staff meeting that morning and ordered a fact-finding survey and an audit.
The Chosun Ilbo reported that each time the council member changed standing committees in the city council, the council member's family company repeatedly won Seoul city projects related to that committee. Seven entities, including the council member's family companies such as a real estate developer, a construction firm, and an education consulting corporation, won contracts totaling in the tens of billions of won.
Seoul city Spokesperson Lee Min-kyung said at a regular briefing that day, "We will form an audit committee, and if issues arise from the fact-finding survey, we plan to consider measures such as filing a complaint," adding, "We will also actively seek cooperation from judicial authorities."
The council member is also under police investigation on suspicion of handing 100 million won in nomination bribes to Rep. Kang Sun-woo, who was then a member of the Democratic Party of Korea Seoul City Party nomination management committee, ahead of the 2022 local elections.