Police Continue to Summon Former Aides Who Exposed Kim Byung-ki Allegations for Questioning

The police are continuously summoning former aides who first raised various allegations of misconduct against Kim Byung-ki, a member of 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 the morning of January 14 that it was questioning former aide Kim as a witness. The police had also summoned key witnesses on January 5 and the previous day.

Kim, who appeared at the police station at around 9:53 a.m. that day, did not respond to questions such as "Are you aware of a secret safe belonging to Assemblyman Kim?" and "Have you submitted any new materials to the police?"

In November of last year, Kim appeared at Dongjak Police Station and submitted a written statement regarding suspicions about Assemblyman Kim's second son's transfer to Soongsil University and his 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 card. However, it stated that no investigation had even begun into the political funds, and that the corporate card case was closed without a proper investigation.

On this day, in the afternoon, the police plan to summon and question the then head of the investigation team at Dongjak Police Station as a suspect, on allegations of covering up the case involving the private use of Kim's wife's corporate card in August 2024. The former head of the investigation division was reportedly summoned and questioned as a witness the previous day.

There are a total of 24 complaints related to Assemblyman Kim currently under investigation by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. The allegations against Kim include: ▲ receiving and returning nomination bribes ▲ receiving Korean Air hotel accommodation vouchers and demanding special treatment ▲ having an expensive meal with the CEO of Coupang ▲ intervening in the hiring of his eldest son at the National Intelligence Service ▲ mobilizing aides for his eldest son's work at the National Intelligence Service ▲ and providing preferential medical treatment at local hospitals.

However, Assemblyman Kim's side is denying these allegations.