Police investigating various corruption allegations involving independent lawmaker Kim Byung-kee (former floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea) have again raided Bithumb, the virtual asset exchange where Kim's second son worked.
According to police and others on the 8th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit sent investigators to execute a search and seizure warrant at Bithumb's headquarters office in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on Tuesday morning. Police also conducted a search and seizure at Bithumb's headquarters in February.
Kim is under suspicion of seeking job favors between September and November 2024 from Bithumb and Dunamu, the operator of the virtual asset exchange Upbit. Kim's second son joined Bithumb in January last year and worked there for six months.
Police are continuing their investigation into 13 corruption allegations involving Kim, including the alleged receipt of nomination bribes. Through April, Kim was summoned for questioning seven times.
As the police probe has dragged on, controversy over delays has also grown. Park Sung-ju, head of the National Office of Investigation (NOI) at the Korean National Police Agency, said at a regular press briefing Tuesday, "Among the various allegations raised, for some the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has an opinion on the first conclusion, but for parts on which the NOI reached a conclusion and determined additional supplementation was necessary, we directed further investigation."
He added, "There are matters regarding allegations raised within the Seoul agency that have not been wrapped up," and said, "Once they are concluded, we will direct additional supplementation as needed."