Police Assign 'Kim Seungwon Complaints' for Investigation... No Probe Yet on Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Assigned to Yeongdeungpo Police Station for Violations of Improper Solicitation and Graft Act
Further Delay in Kim Byungki Misconduct Case Due to Supplementary Investigation

The police have assigned and launched investigations into several criminal complaints filed against Seungwon Kim, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who recently withdrew his nomination as Minister of Justice. However, regarding allegations of sexual misconduct raised through media outlets, the police have not initiated a separate investigation before booking (preliminary inquiry), citing the lack of evidence to support such claims.

Democratic Party legislator Seungwon Kim is leaving the National Assembly Communication Center after finishing a press conference on June 19, announcing the withdrawal of his candidacy for Minister of Justice. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Goh Beomseok, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated in a press briefing on September 21 that "four cases involving potential violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act concerning Assemblyman Kim have been assigned to the Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul." He added, "With a large number of political cases piling up at Yeongdeungpo Police Station, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is also reviewing them together." He further explained that if a case is particularly complex or involves multiple individuals, the allocation could be readjusted after discussions with relevant units.

Kim was previously investigated in 2021 after he sent a message at the request of broker Yang to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, urging the expedited approval of a clinical trial plan for the bio-pharmaceutical venture Genencell. At that time, prosecutors suspended his indictment, but recently a civic group filed a new complaint.

As for allegations of sexual misconduct against Assemblyman Kim reported in the media, a separate investigation has not yet been launched. Commissioner Goh stated, "If an investigation is initiated based solely on allegations, it could become arbitrary," adding, "There should be at least some substantiating materials that could serve as clues before an investigation proceeds."

Meanwhile, the police are conducting supplementary investigations into Independent Assemblyman Kim Byungki's case as requested by the prosecution. On September 11, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office returned the application for an arrest warrant for Assemblyman Kim, which the police had filed one year after initiating the investigation.

The one-month deadline for concluding this case, as recommended by the Seoul Metropolitan Police's investigation review committee, is September 25. However, the police have indicated that additional time may be required due to the need not only to review the necessity of arrest, but also to further substantiate the facts and circumstances related to each individual charge during the supplementary investigation. Commissioner Goh explained, "It would be difficult to meet the deadline without conducting supplementary investigations," adding, "We are doing our best to complete the process thoroughly and as quickly as possible."

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