Kim Kyung Returns Home at Dawn After First Police Questioning Over "Kang Sunwoo 100 Million Won Bribery Allegation"

Kim Kyung, a member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, who is suspected of giving a bribe of 100 million won to independent lawmaker Kang Sunwoo, returned home in the early morning of January 12 after completing his first police questioning, which lasted about three and a half hours.

Yonhap News Agency

Kim appeared at the Public Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency at 11:10 p.m. the previous day and left the interrogation room around 2:45 a.m. on this day. When asked by reporters, "What did you clarify during the investigation?" and "Did you have any contact with Assemblyman Kang while you were in the United States?" Kim did not respond and got into a prepared vehicle.

Kim is accused of giving 100 million won through Nam Mo, then chief secretary of Kang's office, ahead of the 2022 local elections (on charges including bribery). Afterward, Kim was confirmed as the sole candidate at a nomination committee meeting attended by Assemblyman Kang.

It has been reported that the police questioned Kim about the reasons for delivering the money at the time, and whether, as Kang claims, he actually received the money back. However, since the investigation time for Kim was short, the police are expected to summon him again for further questioning in the near future.

When the police investigation began, Kim left for the United States, raising suspicions of fleeing the country. While in the United States, Kim submitted a written confession admitting to the charges through his lawyer, but there were also indications of evidence destruction, such as repeatedly deleting Telegram messages.

The police conducted searches and seizures at Kim's two residences after his return to Korea, at his city council office, as well as at Assemblyman Kang's residence and his office at the National Assembly Members' Office Building.