Kim Kyung Notified to Reappear as City Council Accelerates Disciplinary Process

Council Discusses Date for Ethics Review Advisory Committee Meeting
To Be Submitted to Plenary Session After Special Ethics Committee Review and Decision
High Likelihood of 'Expulsion' as People Power Party Holds Majority
Police Investigation Underway... Summons Scheduled for the 15th

The Seoul Metropolitan Council is expediting the disciplinary process against Councilor Kim Kyung, who is under suspicion for a 'nomination bribe.' The police plan to summon him for questioning on the 15th.

According to political sources on the 14th, the Seoul Metropolitan Council will confirm the emergency meeting date for the Ethics Review Advisory Committee, which will examine the various allegations raised against Councilor Kim. One council member stated, "Given the urgency of the matter, we will proceed swiftly from the advisory committee to the Special Ethics Committee to determine whether disciplinary action is warranted."

Seoul Metropolitan Council is accelerating the disciplinary procedure against Councilor Kim Kyung, who is suspected of 'nomination bribe'. The police are also conducting a suspect investigation through a summons. Photo shows Councilor Kim arriving through Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport on the 11th. Photo by Yonhap News.

The disciplinary request against Councilor Kim lists a total of five violations: ▲acceptance of a nomination bribe (admitted by Kim himself), ▲failure to report official overseas activities and abuse of authority, ▲falsified party membership registration, ▲mobilizing party members by paying their party dues on their behalf, and ▲misappropriation and falsification of business promotion expenses.

Aside from the case where Kim admitted in a police statement to delivering 100 million won to Representative Kang Sunwoo's side during the 2022 local elections, other issues include obtaining an international event pass as a member of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee of the council during his recent stay in the United States without reporting it to the council.

The disciplinary request will be reviewed and decided by the Special Ethics Committee, based on the advisory committee's opinion, as early as this week. While it is expected to be submitted to the plenary session of the temporary council meeting scheduled for the 24th of next month, the council is also considering moving up the session schedule.

The most likely disciplinary action is 'expulsion.' There are four levels of disciplinary action for council members: warning, apology, suspension from attendance for up to 30 days, and expulsion. Currently, expulsion of a council member requires a two-thirds quorum of all sitting members. The Seoul Metropolitan Council has 111 members, with 74 belonging to the People Power Party, which meets the two-thirds requirement. Another council member said, "Expulsion is possible with only the People Power Party members, but the Democratic Party also recognizes the need for severe disciplinary action," adding, "We will establish procedures to confirm Councilor Kim's position and determine the necessity and level of disciplinary action."

The Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has coordinated with Councilor Kim's side and notified him to appear on the morning of the 15th. The police will focus on verifying the circumstances of the money delivery and return, as well as allegations of evidence destruction, based on the seized materials and Kim's statement.