Police in Seoul are set to summon independent lawmaker Kim Byeong-gi on the 26th and 27th for questioning about various allegations, including illegal political funding and abuse of power.
Police in Seoul have announced that they will question lawmaker Kim Byeong-gi, an independent who previously served with the Democratic Party, regarding a range of serious allegations, including the acceptance of illegal political funds and abuse of power. This questioning is set to take place over two days, from the 26th to the 27th of this month, marking the first formal appearance of Kim in response to mounting allegations that have been raised over the past two months. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit is handling the case and has revealed that there are as many as 13 allegations being investigated against Kim.
The situation began to unfold after a report by Hankyoreh on December 21 of last year, highlighting suspicions surrounding Kim's receipt of accommodations from Korean Air, which ignited public and media scrutiny into his activities. Subsequent allegations have included the acceptance of illegal political funds from members of the Dongjak District Council, as well as attempts to misuse public funds related to his wife's council expenses. There have also been accusations of attempts to obstruct police investigations. Following investigations based on tips from former staff members and testimonies from associates, the police have gathered evidence but faced criticism for delays in bringing Kim forward for questioning.
In response to the accusations, the head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police, Park Jeong-bo, stated that the investigation had reached a stage where preparatory work had been completed, allowing for Kim's summons at this time. The investigation is particularly significant due to the serious nature of the allegations that involve potential corruption and abuse of political power, which could have wider implications for public trust in elected officials and political accountability in South Korea. Commentators have noted that this case may set a precedent for how similar allegations are handled in the future as the public demands more transparency from their representatives.
