Rep. Kim Byung-kee, an independent lawmaker formerly of the Democratic Party of Korea who faces allegations including bribery, arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit in Mapo-gu, Seoul, in April for questioning. [Yonhap]
Rep. Kim Byung-kee, an independent lawmaker formerly of the Democratic Party of Korea who faces allegations including bribery, arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit in Mapo-gu, Seoul, in April for questioning. [Yonhap]

The police investigation into a range of allegations against independent Rep. Kim Byung-kee will be referred to an independent review body, as scrutiny grows over the probe's pace after nearly a year with no conclusion. Police have repeatedly said they are "organizing the details" of the investigation.

A Korean National Police Agency official said at a regular press briefing at police headquarters in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on Wednesday that two cases involving Rep. Kim are scheduled to be placed on the agenda of a regular investigative review committee meeting on Monday. "A review and examination is currently being conducted by the investigative review division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency," the official said.

An investigative review can be requested by complainants, accusers or victims who believe the propriety or legality of police investigative procedures or outcomes has been compromised.

The investigative review committee, composed of outside experts including lawyers and professors, examines the investigative process and can order remedial measures such as supplementary or re-investigation.

The review was requested by a former aide to Rep. Kim, identified only as A. The aide is understood to have filed the request on the grounds that police have been delaying a resolution despite having substantially advanced the investigation into the relevant charges.

Police have been unable to reach a conclusion on the Kim cases for roughly a year. The Dongjak Police Station in Seoul launched an investigation last September into allegations including the fraudulent employment of Rep. Kim's second son.

Since then, a string of additional allegations against Rep. Kim has emerged — including suspected receipt of illegal political funds — leading the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit to open probes into 13 separate allegations. None has been resolved.

When asked about concerns that police were handling the investigation of a powerful figure too leniently, the official said, "I fully understand," and urged the public to watch how things unfold, noting that the review committee meeting is set for next week.

On concerns that the review process could delay a police conclusion even further, the official said, "The investigation schedule will proceed as planned," adding, "I understand the review request as stemming from frustration over the investigation dragging on. Therefore, I believe the appropriate course of action is to wrap up the investigation as swiftly as possible."


20ki@heraldcorp.com