Police Apply for Arrest Warrant for Kim Byung-ki Over Alleged Connivance in Rep. Kang Sun-woo's 100 Million Won Bribery

Police have applied for a pretrial arrest warrant for Rep. Kim Byung-ki (Independent) over allegations that he was aware of and overlooked Rep. Kang Sun-woo's receipt of 100 million won.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Major Criminal Investigation Unit announced on the 7th that it has applied for an arrest warrant for Rep. Kim to the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office on charges including bribery under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Specific Crimes and obstruction of duties. Police explained that the allegations have been substantiated by objective evidence and there is concern about evidence destruction. This marks approximately one year since the investigation began in September of last year.

The warrant includes five allegations: overlooking Rep. Kang's receipt of money and valuables, favoritism for his second son's employment and transfer to Sungshin Women's University, receipt of sponsorship funds from Shilla Leisure, receipt of hotel accommodation vouchers from Korean Air, and misappropriation of operational expenses by the Dongjak District Council.

Police applied the charge of obstruction of duties on the grounds that Rep. Kim was aware of Rep. Kang's receipt of money and valuables yet overlooked it, thereby hindering the party's nomination process. Regarding his second son's employment and transfer, police applied charges including bribery under the Special Cases Act, determining that the economic benefit accrued to Rep. Kim exceeded 30 million won.

Rep. Kim is known to have denied most of the allegations. The prosecution plans to decide whether to apply for an arrest warrant to the court after reviewing the facts of the crime and the necessity of detention.

전시언 기자 yourside@news-s.kr