Independent lawmaker Kim Byung-ki, who faces 13 allegations including bribery and favoritism in hiring his second son, abruptly ended his third police questioning session citing health concerns.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit said on the 11th that "Lawmaker Kim requested to stop due to health reasons, so we concluded the questioning." Kim appeared at the Seoul Police Agency's Metropolitan Investigation Unit's Mapo office at 9 a.m. as a suspect and left around 2 p.m., approximately five hours after questioning began. He boarded a waiting vehicle without answering reporters' questions about what he had explained during the session or whether he still denies receiving political funds.
Kim left without reviewing or signing the statement containing his testimony. Police and political circles have described this as highly unusual. If a suspect does not sign, the investigation loses its evidentiary value. Should Kim refuse to sign at his next summons, the day's questioning could become void.
There were also complications during scheduling. Police initially requested Kim appear on the 5th of this month, but the third summons was postponed until this day at his side's request. The first and second questioning sessions each lasted approximately 14 hours, running until around midnight. A police official said they "plan to reschedule and continue the investigation."
With this session ending early, additional summons appear inevitable. Kim is accused of receiving tens of millions of won from Dongjak District council members in exchange for nomination ahead of the 2020 general election. He also faces allegations that as secretary of the Democratic Party of Korea's Seoul chapter nomination management committee during the 2022 local elections, he turned a blind eye to money exchanging hands within the party.
Allegations involving his family are also under investigation. These include accusations that he attempted to quash an investigation into his spouse's misuse of a corporate card and demanded personnel disadvantages against a former aide's workplace after the aide exposed these suspicions. He is also suspected of mobilizing aides to secure his second son's university transfer admission and employment at a cryptocurrency exchange. His second son reportedly worked at Bithumb for six months after transferring to Soongsil University. Including these, Kim faces a total of 13 allegations.