Police on Monday launched a full-scale reinvestigation into allegations that Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Byung-kee's wife misused a local councilor's corporate credit card for personal expenses in 2022. The case was previously cleared but reopened amid claims of cover-up pressure from Kim. The lawmaker has expressed his intention to leave the party over the misconduct allegations.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) conducted search and seizure operations on Monday morning at Seoul's Dongjak Ward council, as well as the home and office of a former Dongjak council member surnamed Jo. Kim Byung-kee's wife, known only as Lee, is suspected of using Jo's corporate credit card for personal expenses between July and September 2022. Dongjak Ward is Kim's constituency.
Police had previously investigated Lee's alleged misuse of public funds from April to August last year but cleared her of all charges. This decision sparked accusations that Kim had exerted influence to pressure the Dongjak Police Station into covering up the case. In November last year, former aides of the lawmaker claimed that the police had improperly closed the case due to external pressure.
In the reinvestigation, the SMPA recently summoned and questioned a former Dongjak Police Station official suspected of leaking investigation information to Kim. On Monday, the agency also summoned one of Kim's former aides as a witness. Kim spoke at the National Assembly in Seoul on Monday, expressing his intention to leave the Democratic Party of Korea over allegations of receiving preferential treatment and abusing his power.
The case could create political ripples within the Democratic Party. Police plan to clarify the allegations through further witness testimonies and evidence collection.
