Kim Kyung's Family Companies Suspected of Preferential Treatment in Seoul City Projects... City Launches Audit

Mayor Oh Sehoon Orders Fact-Finding and Audit

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has launched an internal audit after allegations surfaced that family companies of Seoul City Council member Kim Kyung received preferential treatment in the process of securing city projects.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on January 19, Mayor Oh Sehoon ordered a thorough investigation and audit after learning of related media reports that day. The city also announced its intention to actively cooperate with judicial authorities in their investigations alongside its own audit.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has launched an internal audit after allegations arose that family companies of Seoul City Council member Kim Kyung received preferential treatment in the process of securing city projects. The photo shows Council member Kim under investigation in connection with charges of delivering a "nomination bribe" of 100 million won to Kang Sunwoo, an independent lawmaker (formerly of the Democratic Party). Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The core of the allegations is that seven companies operated by or connected to Council member Kim's family were awarded a series of service contracts worth several tens of billions of won through private contracts with Seoul city-affiliated organizations overseen by the standing committee to which Kim belongs.

This has raised suspicions that Council member Kim may have used his position to provide preferential access to city projects for his family companies. These private contracts reportedly took place from 2019 through June of this year.

Currently, Council member Kim is under police investigation on suspicion of delivering 100 million won to then-Democratic Party member Kang Sunwoo in exchange for a nomination ahead of the 2022 local elections.