Police Search Kim Kyung's Residence Amid Additional Money Delivery Allegations

The police have launched a search and seizure operation in connection with additional allegations of money delivery involving Seoul City Council member Kim Kyung.

The Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced that, starting at around 8:40 a.m. on January 24, they were sequentially conducting search and seizure operations at five locations, including Kim's residence in Hwagok-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, the home of former Seoul City Council Chair Yang, and the Seoul City Council members' office building.

Seoul City Council member Kim Kyung, accused of delivering 100 million won in 'nomination bribes' to Kang Sunwoo, an independent lawmaker formerly of the Democratic Party, is responding to reporters' questions as he appears on the 18th at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Public Crime Investigation Unit for questioning as a suspect. Photo by Yonhap News

This is related to a case referred to the police by the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission around January 19. Previously, the police had received a report from the Seoul Election Commission regarding Kim and a former city council official, identified as Mr. A.

The police are reported to have secured an audio recording in which Kim and Mr. A appear to be discussing to whom they would deliver money ahead of the by-election for Gangseo-gu mayor, which was held in October 2023.

It is said that current members of the Democratic Party were mentioned during this process. However, it is understood that no members of the National Assembly have been included as subjects of the investigation.

In response, Kim's side has asserted, "Regarding the Gangseo-gu mayoral by-election, there has never been any provision of money or valuables to any politician mentioned in the recording or to anyone else for any reason," adding, "The content reported to the Election Commission is a clear case of false accusation, maliciously edited and fabricated."

Separately, Kim is also under police investigation on charges of delivering a 100 million won bribe to then-Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Sunwoo in June 2022, in connection with the nomination for Seoul City Council in the local elections.