Korean Bar Association: "Kim Byung-ki’s Former Aides’ Allegations Unrelated to the Association"

"No Connection Between Kim Byung-ki and Former Aide's Case and the Korean Bar Association"

Kim Byung-ki, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is expressing his position on the 'family airline protocol suspicion' at the National Assembly on the 24th.

Amid ongoing controversy surrounding Kim Byung-ki, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, reports have emerged suggesting a connection between the Korean Bar Association (KBA) and suspicions involving Kim. In response, the KBA issued an official statement denying the allegations, asserting that there is no connection between the suspicions raised against Kim and the association.

On the 25th, the KBA released an official statement saying, "Incidents involving Kim Byung-ki and his former aide are being reported as if they are related to the KBA," and clarified, "The reported incidents occurred before the individual was appointed as an executive of the KBA, and are unrelated to the association. The executive in question resigned on the 23rd."

Kim Byung-ki claimed that a former aide, who left his office in December last year, is now raising suspicions against him. Chat logs from a group chat of former aides, disclosed by Kim, included messages such as "If you are going to declare martial law, do it properly," and "Arrest all the members of the National Assembly," which support the emergency martial law declared in December last year, as well as messages insulting Kim's family.

Recently, Kim has also argued that former aides are posing as whistleblowers for the public good by using deceptive language, in relation to allegations that he received a hotel accommodation invitation from Korean Air and that his family discussed airport convenience services with the airline.

There have also been allegations that most of the aides in the group chat were active in the 'Future Strategy Center,' a legislative lobbying organization under the KBA. However, the KBA drew a clear line regarding these suspicions, emphasizing that there is no connection whatsoever between Kim Byung-ki and the association.