Independent lawmaker Kim Byung-ki appeared before police as a suspect on the 26th, facing 13 allegations including illegal political fund collection. This marks the first formal questioning since controversies began approximately five months ago over suspected preferential treatment for his second son's university transfer last September.
Kim arrived at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit in Mapo-gu, Seoul at 8:57 a.m. as a suspect in bribery charges. Upon arriving at the Mapo office of the Metropolitan Investigation Unit, he told reporters, "I am sorry to meet you under these circumstances." He added, "I will cooperate fully with the investigation to completely clear all allegations and defamation raised against me and restore my honor without fail."
When asked whether he denies all allegations, Kim avoided a direct answer, saying only, "I will cooperate fully with the investigation." When questioned about the existence of a safe at his second son's residence, he stated "There was none" before proceeding to the interrogation room.
Police are expected to conduct intensive questioning of Kim over two days regarding the 13 allegations. Investigators will particularly focus on establishing facts related to illegal political fund collection and nomination-related misconduct. Kim is accused of receiving tens of millions of won from Dongjak-gu district council members in exchange for party nominations ahead of the 2020 general election. He is also under investigation for allegedly turning a blind eye to cash exchanges within the party while serving as secretary of the Democratic Party of Korea's Seoul chapter nomination management committee during the 2022 local elections.
Kim also faces obstruction of business charges related to preferential treatment for his children. He is suspected of mobilizing his staff to secure his second son's university transfer and employment at a cryptocurrency exchange. His second son did in fact work at Bithumb for six months after transferring to Soongsil University. Prior to summoning Kim, police questioned his second son as a suspect for 13 hours the previous day to establish the facts.
Investigators will also examine whether Kim lobbied frontline investigators to suppress an internal review into allegations that his spouse misused corporate credit cards. There are also indications he may have received preferential treatment from hospitals and airlines for himself or family members, and that he demanded personnel disadvantages against former staff members suspected of leaking these allegations to their employer, Coupang.
Kim has categorically denied all charges, stating he would quit politics if found legally responsible for even one of the allegations. After the Democratic Party of Korea's Ethics Tribunal expelled him, he voluntarily left the party without pursuing an appeal.
Police plan to determine how to proceed with Kim's case after completing the two-day questioning.