Police Search Six Locations Including Kim Byunggi's Home Over Corruption Allegations

The police have launched a compulsory investigation into the residence and other locations associated with Kim Byunggi, a Democratic Party lawmaker who is embroiled in various corruption allegations.

Former floor leader of the Democratic Party, Kim Byunggi, who is suspected of various corrupt practices including nomination bribery, is appearing before the Democratic Party Ethics Committee at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul on the 12th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced that, starting at 7:55 a.m. on January 14, investigators were conducting searches and seizures at six locations, including Assemblyman Kim's home, on suspicion of violating the Political Funds Act. The targets of the search include Kim's wife, Ms. Lee, and Lee, a member of the Dongjak District Council.

Assemblyman Kim is suspected of receiving 10 million won and 20 million won, respectively, from two former Dongjak District Council members ahead of the 2020 general election, and then returning the money afterward.

Assemblyman Kim is also facing allegations of: involvement in his second son's transfer to Soongsil University; private misuse of his spouse's district council business expenses and attempts to quash related investigations; receiving and requesting protocol for Korean Air hotel accommodation vouchers; having an expensive meal with the CEO of Coupang; intervening in his eldest son's employment at the National Intelligence Service; mobilizing his aides for his eldest son's work at the National Intelligence Service; and providing preferential medical treatment at a local hospital in his constituency.