Seoul agency's 6-month probe nears end; referral method and timing in focus

Police stress 'strict investigation' stance amid criticism of slow pace

Search and seizure of Bithumb over job-placement allegations marks final push

Independent Rep. Kim Byung-kee, formerly of the Democratic Party of Korea, arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on April 10 to undergo questioning over bribery allegations. [Yonhap]
Independent Rep. Kim Byung-kee, formerly of the Democratic Party of Korea, arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on April 10 to undergo questioning over bribery allegations. [Yonhap]

By Kim A-rin, The Herald Business

Police are in the final stages of consolidating charges against independent Rep. Kim Byung-kee, formerly of the Democratic Party of Korea, as the investigation into a range of allegations against him has picked up pace following the local elections, analysts say. The tone from police leadership has also shifted. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency had initially signaled it would refer completed charges to prosecutors on a rolling basis, but the National Investigation Headquarters recently indicated it prefers to wrap up all allegations in a single, comprehensive referral.

Park Seong-ju, head of the National Investigation Headquarters at the Korean National Police Agency, said at a press briefing held June 8 at the agency's headquarters in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, that "it makes sense for all the various allegations raised against Rep. Kim to be concluded at once," confirming the plan for a consolidated referral. He added that the headquarters had reviewed the Seoul agency's preliminary findings on some of the allegations and issued additional investigative directives, saying police would "reach a conclusion swiftly."

'Supplementary probe' under way on 13 allegations; resolution seen as imminent

Police have been consolidating complaints and accusations filed against Rep. Kim and conducting a comprehensive investigation through the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency since late last year.

The key allegations include: that he received 30 million won ($19,700) from Dongjak-gu council members ahead of the 2020 general election and later returned it; that he suppressed a police investigation into his spouse's alleged misuse of a Dongjak-gu council corporate card; and that he delegated work belonging to his eldest son, a National Intelligence Service employee, to his legislative office staff. He is also suspected of having been aware of evidence that Rep. Kang Sun-woo accepted illicit nomination funds during the 2022 local elections — when Kim served as secretary of the Democratic Party's candidate vetting committee — and of turning a blind eye. A further allegation holds that he lobbied the virtual assets exchange Bithumb to hire his second son.

A police official said all 13 allegations under investigation stem from formal complaints or accusations. Counting from when each individual complaint was first filed, the probe has been running for roughly 10 months.

As attention focuses on how police will handle the case, investigators are conducting supplementary probes on several of the charges. On June 8, police carried out an additional search and seizure at Bithumb's Gangnam headquarters — the second such raid following one in February — this time designating a Bithumb official as a suspect.

With the various strands of the investigation now entering a review-and-supplementation phase, attention is turning to how the final outcome and the timing of any disposition will unfold. A Korean National Police Agency official said the probe is "a wide-ranging investigation with the entire Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul agency committed to it," adding that police intend to "reach a conclusion strictly and swiftly."

Rep. Kim has not appeared before investigators since completing his seventh round of questioning on April 11. During his third session in March, questioning was halted after he complained of back pain, and he was subsequently hospitalized. Police are not expected to summon him again. An official familiar with the investigation said each of the allegations raised had been addressed at least once during questioning.


arin@heraldcorp.com