One Year of Investigation into Kim Byunggi... Most Cases to Be Dropped Except for "Second Son Job Solicitation"

Only Partial Evidence Found Regarding 30 Million Won in Political Funds
Questions Remain Over High-Profile Investigation... Can Police Replace the Prosecution?

The police, who have been investigating various allegations surrounding Independent Congressman Kim Byunggi, are reportedly planning not to refer most of the cases for prosecution except for those involving a job solicitation for his second son. The investigation was also unable to fully establish Kim's involvement in the exchange of 30 million won that occurred before and after the 21st general election, which means the political funds law violation will likely be referred only partially. Criticism is expected as the police, after a nearly year-long investigation, have failed to clarify the core allegations in this power abuse case.

According to the police on August 25, the Public Crime Investigation Unit at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency plans to refer Congressman Kim to the prosecution as early as this week on charges including bribery and violation of the Political Funds Act. The investigative team already reported its conclusions to superiors on August 4. However, a decision has not yet been made on whether Kim will be referred without detention or if an arrest warrant will be requested.

Kim Byunggi, Independent Congressman. Photo by Dongju Yoon

The main charge against Congressman Kim to be forwarded to the prosecution revolves around solicitation for employment for his second son, identified as Mr. Kim. It is alleged that in November 2024, Kim met with executives at the virtual asset exchange Bithumb and requested his son’s employment. At that time, Bithumb announced a data analysis internship with a preference for Mr. Kim’s major, leading to suspicions that the position was tailored for him. Mr. Kim was actually hired by Bithumb in January 2025 and worked there for about six months.

There is also an allegation that Congressman Kim solicited employment for his son at a transportation company, Company A, to facilitate his transfer to Soongsil University's Department of Innovation Management. This department is an industry-academic partnership program, which required employment at a small or medium-sized enterprise for at least 10 months to qualify for a transfer. Mr. Kim joined Company A in May 2022 and transferred to the university 10 months later. Although there were initial suspicions of transfer favoritism, the investigation concluded that the university was not involved in either the hiring or the transfer.

The police reportedly referenced legal precedents that recognize employment opportunities for one’s children as a form of bribery during their legal review process. In Kim’s case, after his son joined Company A, Kim transferred to the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee in July 2022 and, in October that year, raised questions about an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) project in which Company A was participating during a parliamentary audit. Around the time when it was determined that he solicited employment at Bithumb, Kim was a member of the Political Affairs Committee, handling matters related to virtual asset exchanges, and questioned the monopoly issue concerning Dunamu. The police assess that these activities demonstrate a quid pro quo related to Kim's legislative work.

The political nomination donation allegation was only partially clarified after nearly a year of investigation. According to the Supreme Court, receiving money under the pretext of political funds constitutes a violation of the Political Funds Act, even if the funds are later returned, regardless of whether it was in exchange for a nomination. The police were able to specify the dates and places where a total of 30 million won changed hands through Kim’s spouse and aides with two former Dongjak-gu council members, but could not fully establish Kim’s involvement in the entire amount.

A police official stated, "Because the flow of money is intertwined among several suspects, we are not deciding to drop all charges," adding, "We are considering referring the parts with verified evidence and dropping the unsubstantiated ones."

In addition, Congressman Kim faces 13 other allegations, including exerting influence in the hiring of his eldest son at the National Intelligence Service, personal use of the Dongjak-gu council’s corporate credit card by his spouse and attempts to quash the investigation, preferential treatment at Boramae Hospital in his district, and unauthorized reading of Telegram chats involving his aides. Many of these charges are reportedly expected to be dropped.

With the abolition of the prosecution leading to greater responsibility for investigative functions by the police, criticism is expected regarding the mass dropping of cases involving politicians after long and protracted investigations. As of June this year, the average processing time for police cases is 56.4 days. Nearly 11 months have passed since a complaint was filed against Congressman Kim in September 2025, nearly six times longer than average.

Meanwhile, the Seoul Metropolitan Police’s Investigation Review Committee will include Congressman Kim’s case on the agenda at its 8th regular meeting scheduled for the day. This is in response to a review request filed by the civic group that originally filed the complaint and Kim’s former aides, citing delays in the investigation. The committee may order a reinvestigation or expedited processing if it finds procedural unfairness or illegality in the investigation process.

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