Kim: "Accommodation voucher can be purchased for 340,000 won"
Denies media reports and repeatedly emphasizes intention to return
A civic group has filed a police complaint against Kim Byung-ki, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who received a hotel accommodation voucher from Korean Air.
On December 24, the Citizens' Action for Judicial Justice (Sasehaeng) announced that it would file a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against Floor Leader Kim on charges of bribery and violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. The civic group claimed, "While serving as a National Assembly member, a position where integrity is fundamental, he received a hotel accommodation voucher worth approximately 1.6 million won from Korean Air, which was involved in a major merger issue at the time."
Kim Byung-ki, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking about the 'Family Airline Protocol Suspicion' at the National Assembly on December 24, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
The controversy began last year when Floor Leader Kim and his family used a hotel accommodation voucher provided by Korean Air. Previously, a media outlet calculated that the total value of the hotel services used by Kim's family for three days and two nights was 1,648,000 won, including 1,450,000 won for the room, 128,000 won for breakfast, and 70,000 won for an extra bed. Regarding this, Floor Leader Kim stated, "After checking with another assembly member, I received a response that Korean Air purchases the hotel voucher from KAL Hotel for about 340,000 won, including breakfast. The previously reported 800,000 won per night and 340,000 won are different." However, he repeatedly acknowledged, "Using the accommodation voucher was wrong," and confirmed his intention to return it.
In response to Kim's explanation, former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Woong posted on social media on the 25th, saying, "Floor Leader Kim claims that the price Korean Air pays for the KAL Hotel Royal Suite, including breakfast, is 340,000 won, and thus the benefit he received is only 340,000 won." He continued, "By that logic, since the production cost of Kim Keon-hee's Dior bag is 80,000 won, Kim Keon-hee only received 80,000 won. Likewise, since the Bank of Korea's unit cost for a 50,000-won bill is 200 won, even if you receive 500 million won as a bribe in 50,000-won bills, it would only be 2 million won. I am curious about Floor Leader Kim's mindset."
Floor Leader Kim also addressed the controversy regarding the convenience allegedly provided to his family during their overseas travels. He explained via social media, "When my daughter-in-law and grandson entered Hanoi in 2023, they did not receive any special assistance from the Hanoi branch manager," and added, "Although a former staff member with whom I have since fallen out is now distorting the situation, I do not wish to blame anyone over this issue." He further stated, "When the staff member learned that my six-month-old grandson was leaving the country, he offered to request assistance from Korean Air, but my daughter-in-law applied for a private fast-track service, so it was unnecessary."
Previously, in September, Sasehaeng filed a complaint against Floor Leader Kim for obstruction of business by force and violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act in connection with a 700,000-won dinner with Coupang CEO Park Dae-jun. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit is scheduled to question the complainant on December 31.
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