Police investigating independent lawmaker Kim Byung-kee over alleged hiring favoritism for the younger son have also booked Bithumb CEO Lee Jae-won as a suspect, according to reports.
On the 11th, according to police and others, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crimes Investigation Unit is currently investigating Bithumb CEO Lee Jae-won as a suspect on bribery charges. Lee is suspected of being involved in the process by which the lawmaker's younger son was hired by Bithumb.
Police are is under investigation whether the lawmaker asked for the younger son's job during a dinner with Lee and others in late 2024. The lawmaker's younger son worked at Bithumb for six months from January last year.
The lawmaker is also suspected of having asked retaliatory questions in the National Policy Committee, which oversees the Financial Services Commission, against rival Dunamu (Upbit) after the younger son was hired by Bithumb.
Police also learned that former aide A, who worked for the lawmaker, has been serving as an unofficial adviser since September last year, and are currently investigating whether there was any quid pro quo.
Police are continuing the investigation, conducting an additional search and seizure of Bithumb's headquarters this month following one in February.