Police investigating various allegations of misconduct by independent lawmaker Kim Byung-kee have sought an arrest warrant. It comes about a year after they opened the probe.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Metropolitan Investigation Unit Public Crime Investigation Division said on the 7th that it applied for an arrest warrant for the lawmaker on charges including bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and obstruction of business. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said, "Based on the investigation, the charges are supported by objective evidence, and we took into account concerns about the destruction of evidence."
The lawmaker is accused of receiving illegal funds from former Dongjak District council members ahead of the general election, interfering with a police investigation into allegations that the spouse misused a corporate card, and asking for favors to secure the second son's university transfer and job.
After allegations related to the lawmaker surfaced in September last year, police opened an investigation and summoned the lawmaker for questioning seven times through April this year. However, they went months without deciding on custody or whether to refer the case to prosecutors, prompting complaints from the complainants. The Seoul agency's investigation deliberation committee held a regular meeting on the 25th of last month and directed that cases related to the lawmaker be handled swiftly within one month.
Police have repeatedly said the probe is in its final stage. In line with that, they appear to have specified the charges and evidence and moved to secure the lawmaker's custody. Seoul Metropolitan Police Commissioner Ko Beom-seok said at a regular press briefing that day, regarding the investigation into the lawmaker, "It seems the investigation according to procedure is almost complete and is in the final stage."