Police summoned independent lawmaker Kim Byung-kee (former floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea), who faces various misconduct allegations including "taking nomination bribes," for the second straight day. It came 10 hours and 30 minutes after Kim went home following the first 14-hour-30-minute questioning the previous day.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit summoned Kim on the morning of the 27th as a suspect on charges including bribery, abuse of authority, and obstruction of business by deception.
Appearing that day, Kim said, "I will continue to faithfully undergo questioning," adding, "After the questioning ends, if there is an opportunity, I may arrange a separate occasion to speak."
Police plan to question Kim that day over charges including bribery, abuse of authority, and obstruction of business by deception.
At the core of the allegations surrounding Kim is the "nomination bribery" suspicion. He is accused of receiving a total of 30 million won from two former Dongjak District council members ahead of the 2020 general election and then returning it.
Kim also faces allegations that he condoned, despite being aware, the circumstances of independent lawmaker Kang Sun-woo (former Democratic Party of Korea) receiving 100 million won from former Seoul City Council member Kim Kyung ahead of the 2022 local elections.
In addition, there are allegations of: ▲ covering up an internal probe into his wife's private use of the Dongjak District Council vice chair's corporate card ▲ involvement in his eldest son's hiring at the National Intelligence Service ▲ preferential treatment for his second son's university transfer and employment ▲ soliciting to disadvantage former aides in personnel matters at Coupang ▲ receiving favors from Korean Air Lines.
Police assigned the scattered cases related to Kim to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit in December last year and have been investigating. Although they questioned Kim's wife and other related figures multiple times, the lack of a summons for Kim sparked controversy over a "slow investigation."
Police plan to investigate the misconduct allegations against Kim and review measures for handling his custody.