Seoul City Council Moves to Discipline Kim Kyung Over Nomination Bribe Allegations

Chair of the Council Ethics Committee Submits Disciplinary Motion Against Kim Kyung

A disciplinary motion has been submitted against Kim Kyung, a Seoul city council member suspected of handing over a 100 million won "nomination bribe" to Assemblywoman Kang Seonwoo ahead of the 2022 local elections.

Shin Dongwon, Chair of the Special Ethics Committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Council (People Power Party, Nowon District 1), announced on January 13 that he had submitted the disciplinary motion regarding Councilman Kim and reported it to the council chairperson.

The disciplinary motion cites a total of five issues: receiving a nomination bribe, failing to report official overseas activities, abuse of authority, false registration of party membership, mobilizing party members by paying their party dues on their behalf, and misappropriation and falsification of business promotion expenses.

On the 11th, Kim Kyung, a Seoul city council member suspected of delivering a 100 million won "nomination bribe" to Kang Seonwoo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea during the 2022 local election phase, is arriving through Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport. Photo by Yonhap News

The core of the nomination bribe allegation is that Kim, then a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, delivered 100 million won to Assemblywoman Kang Seonwoo-who was serving as a nomination management committee member of the party's Seoul chapter-just before the 2022 local elections. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit is currently investigating the case for alleged violations of the Political Funds Act. It is reported that Councilman Kim has submitted a written statement admitting to the charges.

Chairman Shin stated, "There is a strong possibility that Councilman Kim's actions constitute serious violations of several regulations, including the duty of integrity for council members under Article 44 of the Local Autonomy Act, as well as the Seoul Metropolitan Council's Code of Ethics and Code of Ethical Practice, which require maintaining dignity and integrity."

Regarding the failure to report official overseas activities, this refers to the fact that Councilman Kim, while staying in the United States, obtained a pass for CES, the world's largest electronics and IT exhibition, under the title of a member of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, without reporting it to the council. Chairman Shin considered this to be a case of failing to report official overseas activities.

In addition, Chairman Shin mentioned, "Regarding the allegations of misappropriation of business promotion expenses, media reports have raised suspicions that while Councilman Kim was active in Gangseo District, business promotion expenses were processed in Bangbae-dong, Seocho District, leading to suspicions of use by others or false reporting."

He added, "Given the urgency of the matter, we plan to convene an emergency meeting of the Ethics Review Advisory Committee this week to hear opinions on the disciplinary action," and "afterward, the Special Ethics Committee will be held to deliberate on whether to impose disciplinary measures."

According to Article 84, Paragraph 5 of the Seoul Metropolitan Council's Rules of Procedure, when the chair of the Special Ethics Committee requests disciplinary action, the committee reports it to the council chairperson and may proceed with the review process.

The disciplinary motion is scheduled to be submitted to the plenary session of the extraordinary meeting starting on February 24, following the resolution of the Special Ethics Committee. Disciplinary measures against council members are classified into four levels: warning, apology, suspension from attendance for up to 30 days, and expulsion. The level of disciplinary action is determined after review by the Ethics Review Advisory Committee.

Currently, the People Power Party holds 74 out of 111 seats in the Seoul Metropolitan Council. The Special Ethics Committee also has 10 out of 15 seats, including the chair and vice-chair, held by the People Power Party.