Breaking: Police seek arrest warrant for lawmaker Kim Byung-kee after yearlong investigation

Police have sought an arrest warrant for independent lawmaker Kim Byung-kee, one year after launching an investigation into 13 alleged violations including bribery and illegal political funding.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Major Crimes Investigation Division requested a pretrial warrant on the 7th, citing alleged violations of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, including bribery, as well as obstruction of business. Police said the allegations had been supported by objective evidence and that they considered the risk of evidence being destroyed.

Kim is accused of seeking favors for his younger son’s university transfer and employment from Soongsil University and Jinwoo Industrial Electric in return for providing convenience through his legislative activities. The investigation began on September 11 last year, after the Citizens’ Committee for Measures for Ordinary People’s Livelihoods filed a complaint against Kim on suspicion of abuse of authority and other offenses.

Police searched Kim’s home and his office in the National Assembly building. They also questioned him seven times as a suspect between February and April. Kim denied most of the allegations during police questioning.

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We considered that the allegations had been supported by objective evidence and that there was a risk of evidence being destroyed.