Police Complete Byunggi Kim Investigation... Report Recommendations for Referral to Leadership

Report to Police Leadership Completed After Conclusion of Investigation

Key Allegations Focus on Second Son's Employment Lobbying

and University Transfer Orchestration

It has been confirmed that the police have completed their investigation into 13 allegations raised against Byunggi Kim, Independent Member of the National Assembly.

Byungki Kim, Independent Member of the National Assembly. Yonhap News

According to an investigation by The Asia Business Daily on August 5, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit has recently wrapped up its investigation into Assemblyman Kim and reported its recommendations for indictment on the main charges to the leadership. It is understood that they are now meticulously reviewing the applicable legal principles once more. Given that this case concerns a high-profile politician who previously served as the floor leader of the ruling party, and that several allegations are intertwined over a long period, this thorough review appears to be intended to minimize the likelihood of additional investigative requests after the case is referred to the prosecution.

Among the many allegations raised against Assemblyman Kim, the police are focusing on two central issues: his involvement in facilitating the transfer of his second son, identified as Mr. Kim, to a contract department at Soongsil University, and lobbying Bithumb, a virtual asset exchange, for the same son's employment. These incidents are expected to result in charges such as obstruction of business by fraudulent means and bribery.

Assemblyman Kim is accused of arranging, through former aides, his second son's transfer to Soongsil University and seeking help from companies to meet the contract department's transfer requirements. He is also suspected of lobbying executives at Bithumb in November 2024 to secure his son's employment. In fact, an internship position was created for Mr. Kim, and he worked there for about six months.

Additionally, Assemblyman Kim has been accused of accepting money during the nomination process for the 21st general elections in 2020, exerting influence over his eldest son's hiring process at the National Intelligence Service, providing preferential medical treatment at a local district hospital, and unauthorized access to Telegram chats.

This investigation has put the police to the test regarding their ability to handle high-profile power-related cases after the abolition of the prosecution's investigative authority. The investigation has drawn criticism for delays, lasting nearly a year since the initial complaint was filed in September of last year. A police official stated, "We plan to finish the process swiftly," adding, "We cannot provide further details at this time."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.