The police are still investigating multiple claims involving Kim Byung-kee, a former floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (independent, Seoul Dongjak-gu A), and the process has been delayed for 11 months without reaching a resolution. After a civic organization lodged a complaint against Kim, a former assistant who alleged that Kim engaged in workplace harassment has also requested a re-examination of the investigation.
As per a report from this newspaper on August 3, former aide A submitted a request to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on the same day for a reassessment of the investigation into all matters concerning Kim. This reassessment process enables complainants or journalists to voice concerns if they think the investigation’s procedure or result is unjust or against the law. The review panel, made up of outside specialists, may suggest a re-investigation, additional inquiry, or accelerated handling if they determine that the investigation’s fairness or legality has been seriously undermined.
In the application, A stated, “The main issue is not ‘delayed investigation’ but ‘delayed resolution.’” A mentioned, “Fact-finding and legal assessments have largely been finished, but no decision has been made yet.” A further noted, “It is important to examine if the failure to request a bench warrant stems from the command’s political motivations or other factors,” and “whether the legislator’s position is contributing to the delay in his arrest.” A expressed an intention to attend the review committee meeting to share their perspective.
Previously, the civic organization People’s Welfare Countermeasure Committee also requested an investigation review on July 31. The group, which submitted a complaint in September of last year regarding claims of favoritism in Kim’s second son’s enrollment at Soongsil University, stated, “The inability to finalize the investigation creates reasonable doubt that the delay is due to factors other than insufficient investigative capability.”
Kim is being probed by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Public Crime Investigation Unit on 13 allegations, such as illegal political financing, favoritism in his son’s admission, and using influence to secure a job at Bithumb. Hong Seok-gi, director of the National Police Agency’s National Office of Investigation, mentioned during a routine press conference, “For significant cases, we examine even small details to prevent prosecutors from asking for additional investigations. We will work to speed up the process due to criticisms about delays.”
As for whether Kim’s custody will be ensured, Hong said, “We will first decide on the indictment of the 13 charges before assessing if custody is required. The initial procedures for this are almost finished.”
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