Police launched a compulsory investigation into allegations that Seoul City Council member Kim Kyung lobbied for a party nomination, a case transferred from the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit said it began sequential searches and seizures at five locations starting at 8:40 a.m. on the 24th, including Kim's residence, the residence of former Seoul City Council Chairperson Yang, and the Seoul City Council members' office building.
Kim is suspected of attempting to lobby by contacting several politicians around June to July 2023 to run for district mayor ahead of the October by-election.
On the 19th, police received from the Seoul election commission part of an audio transcript indicating Kim's lobbying, and on the 21st they obtained, by voluntary submission at the Seoul City Council, a computer containing about 120 related audio files.
The recordings reportedly include scenes of Kim, ahead of the 2023 Gangseo District mayoral by-election, attempting to contact other political figures to run for district mayor or discussing the delivery of money or valuables.
The audio files secured this time reportedly mention the names of incumbent Democratic Party lawmakers as well. However, they have not yet been included as subjects of the investigation.
Meanwhile, Kim is also under investigation on suspicion of handing 100 million won in nomination money to lawmaker Kang ahead of the 2022 local elections and then getting it back.