Police are continuously summoning former aides who first raised various misconduct allegations against Kim Byung-ki, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea.
On the 14th, police began a search and seizure of the residence and other locations related to Kim Byung-ki, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who is embroiled in various allegations including receiving nomination bribes. Police investigators are entering Kim's office in the National Assembly Members' Office Building. January 14, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
The Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced on January 14 that they were questioning former aide Kim as a reference witness that morning. Police had also summoned key witnesses on January 5 and the previous day.
Arriving at the police station at around 9:53 a.m. that day, Kim did not respond to questions such as "Are you aware of the secret safe belonging to Assemblyman Kim?" and "Have you submitted any new materials to the police?"
In November of last year, Kim appeared at the Dongjak Police Station and submitted a written statement regarding allegations about Assemblyman Kim's second son's transfer to Soongsil University and employment at Bithumb. The statement also included claims that Kim's wife received illegal political funds from a former Dongjak District Council member and used the council member's corporate credit card. However, it stated that no investigation into the political funds had even begun and that the corporate card case was closed without a proper inquiry.
On this day, in the afternoon, police plan to summon the then-head of the investigation team at Dongjak Police Station as a suspect, over allegations of covering up the case involving Kim's wife's personal use of a corporate credit card in August 2024. The former head of the investigation department was reportedly summoned as a reference witness the previous day.
There are a total of 24 cases filed against Assemblyman Kim currently under investigation by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. The allegations against him include: ▲ receiving and returning bribery for nomination ▲ receiving Korean Air hotel accommodation vouchers and demanding special protocol ▲ having an expensive meal with the CEO of Coupang ▲ intervening in his eldest son's employment at the National Intelligence Service ▲ mobilizing aides for his eldest son's work at the National Intelligence Service ▲ and providing preferential medical treatment at a local hospital.
However, Assemblyman Kim's side denies all these allegations.
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