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Police Open Investigation After DP Floor Leader Kim Byung-kee Resigns Over Misconduct Claims

Police consolidation of 11 complaints signals a widening probe into alleged 100 million won nomination trading.

Overview

  • Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s public crime investigation unit has taken over the cases against Kim, with one related to his younger son still handled by Dongjak Police Precinct.
  • Officers began by questioning a civic group complainant as transferred cases span alleged graft tied to a Korean Air hotel voucher, a luxury meal with a former Coupang chief, and directions to aides regarding his sons.
  • Kim stepped down after roughly 200 days in the floor-leader post, apologizing for conduct he acknowledged fell short of public expectations.
  • A recorded April 2022 conversation published by media is central to the case, describing an alleged 100 million won payment linked to a sole local council nomination; Rep. Kang Sun-woo denies promising a nomination or taking money.
  • The Democratic Party ordered an ethics fact-finding probe into Kang, while the People Power Party filed criminal complaints that could feed broader law-enforcement inquiries ahead of next June’s local elections.