Police to Coordinate Investigation Authority with CIO over 'Kim Byungkee Son's University Transfer Allegations'

Lee Choonseok Summoned Three Times for Questioning
Six Cases Filed Over Allegations of Meeting Involving Cho Heedae

On September 29, the police stated that, regarding suspicions that Kim Byungkee, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was involved in his son's transfer to Soongsil University, "Since the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) has launched an investigation into the same matter, we plan to promptly coordinate on which agency will lead the investigation."

Park Sungjoo, head of the National Investigation Headquarters at the National Police Agency, said at a regular press briefing that day, "If the CIO requests the transfer of the case while the police are conducting the investigation, the case will be handed over."

Previously, Newstapa reported that in 2021, Kim allegedly exercised undue influence to facilitate his younger son's transfer during a meeting with the president of Soongsil University and others, and that he mobilized local district council members from his constituency during this process.

Regarding the investigation into suspicions of stock trading under borrowed names by independent lawmaker Lee Choonseok, Park explained, "Assemblyman Lee was summoned for questioning once more on Sunday," adding, "We are continuing to analyze seized materials and question those involved."

The Financial Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency reportedly secured aides' mobile phones during a search and seizure of the eighth-floor parliamentary office in the National Assembly Members' Office Building, which lasted three hours and thirty minutes on September 18.

Concerning the case involving allegations of a meeting between Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Heedae and former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, Park stated, "A total of six cases have been filed, and they have been assigned to the Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency," adding, "We are currently at the stage of questioning the complainants."

Democratic Party lawmakers Seo Youngkyo and Boo Seungchan, among others, claimed that after the Constitutional Court's impeachment ruling against former President Yoon Sukyeol, Chief Justice Cho met with former Prime Minister Han and discussed the election law case involving President Lee Jaemyung. The allegations are reportedly based on a recording broadcast by Open Gonggam TV in May, but Chief Justice Cho has denied the claims. Former Prime Minister Han's side also issued a denial, and former Prosecutor General Jeong Sangmyeong, who was also mentioned as being present at the alleged four-person meeting, stated, "I have never even met them."

Regarding allegations of sexually inappropriate remarks during a presidential TV debate and proxy payment of polling costs by Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform Party, Park said, "We are continuing to question those involved and analyze related materials."