Police Expected to Question Councilor Kim Kyung as Suspect on Jan. 12 Over "Kang Sunwoo 100 Million Won Allegation"

Police to Question Councilor Kim Immediately After Return
Concerns Raised Over Possible Evidence Destruction Due to Repeated Telegram Withdrawals and Rejoins

The police plan to question Kim Kyung, a member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, immediately after his return to Korea over allegations that he delivered 100 million won in nomination funds to Kang Sunwoo, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, during the 2022 local election period.

According to the police on January 12, the Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency intends to summon Councilor Kim as a suspect as early as January 12.

The police have been coordinating the summons schedule after receiving notification from Councilor Kim that he would return to Korea via Incheon International Airport on the morning of January 12.

Councilor Kim is suspected of handing over 100 million won to Kang's side ahead of the 2022 local elections and then receiving it back. Councilor Kim has submitted a written statement to the police through his attorney, which matches Assemblyman Kang's explanation that, upon learning of the money exchange, he instructed that the funds be returned to Councilor Kim.

However, it has been reported that Kang's former aide, who is believed to have brokered the nomination funds, claims to have no knowledge of these details, increasing the need for further evidence collection.

Councilor Kim left for the United States on December 31, stating he was going to visit his child, but it was later revealed that he did not actually meet his child, raising suspicions that he left the country to evade the investigation.

Yonhap News Agency

While Councilor Kim was in the United States, concerns were raised that evidence may have been destroyed, as he left and rejoined Telegram twice, resulting in the disappearance of call logs and conversation records.

A police official stated, "We will proceed with the investigation as quickly as possible," adding, "All necessary measures will be taken."

Meanwhile, the police have also launched a full-scale investigation into allegations that the wife of Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byungki misappropriated business promotion expenses from the Dongjak District Council for personal use.

The police plan to summon Kim Hanmae, head of the civic group Citizens' Action for Judicial Justice, which reported the allegations, on the afternoon of January 11 to investigate the circumstances of the complaint.