Police Summon Sungyeol Kim as Reference Witness Over Kim Kyung Nomination Bribery Recording

Summons for Questioning in Kim Kyung Nomination Bribery Case

Police investigating allegations of nomination bribery involving Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Kyung have summoned Sungyeol Kim, former Chief Supreme Council Member of the Reform New Party and former aide to former Democratic Party lawmaker Roh Woongrae, as a reference witness for questioning.

According to police on January 28, the Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency began questioning Sungyeol Kim as a reference witness at the Metropolitan Investigation Unit building in Mapo-gu, Seoul, starting at 9:30 a.m. that day. Upon entering the police station, Sungyeol Kim responded to questions regarding reports about Kim Kyung by saying, "I am here to be questioned as a reference witness. I am sorry."

Sungyeol Kim, Former Chief Supreme Council Member of the Reform New Party. Reform New Party

Sungyeol Kim is known to have discussed the delivery of money with Kim Kyung when Kim was considering running in the 2023 Gangseo District mayoral by-election. In a recording secured by police on January 21, he reportedly told Kim Kyung that "it would cost money to overturn the situation before the candidate is decided through strategic nomination."

Regarding this, Sungyeol Kim stated on his Facebook page on January 23, "It is true that I am one of the Democratic Party officials mentioned in connection with Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Kyung," adding, "However, I want to make it clear that the information currently being raised about the Gangseo District mayoral by-election contains misunderstandings and exaggerations."

Kim Kyung has also insisted that he has never delivered illegal funds to anyone in relation to the Gangseo District mayoral by-election. He is currently under investigation for allegedly offering 100 million won in nomination funds to Assemblywoman Kang Sunwoo.