Police on Delay in Kim Byung-kee Probe: 'Examining Even Small Details to Avoid Requests for Supplementary Investigation'

▲ Independent Representative Kim Byung-kee

Regarding criticism that the 11-month-long investigation involving independent Representative Kim Byung-kee shows a lack of capability, police stated that they are trying to speed up the process while minimizing such criticism.

Hong Seok-ki, head of the National Office of Investigation, said during a regular press briefing today (August 3) that "the broad framework of the investigation is mostly settled," while adding, "the more important a case is, the more requests for supplementary investigations can arise if review is insufficient, so we are examining even the smallest details."

"While placing emphasis on promptness, if there are issues to be addressed, we will ensure completeness without losing speed," Hong added, asking the public to "watch with affectionate eyes, as encouragement during such times helps us do better."

He also conveyed the stance that rigorousness is being prioritized in the process of conducting supplementary investigations and reviewing the case.

"It is the leadership's stance that the more important the case and the more significant the figures involved, the higher the rigor and completeness must be," Hong explained, noting that "differences in stance between investigative agencies and prosecution-maintaining agencies are inevitable, which is why we are making supplements."

He also stated the position that a comprehensive decision on whether to forward the case will be made as soon as the investigation is concluded.

"The investigation has taken a considerable amount of time, and differences of opinion have been resolved, making it time to judge on whether to forward the 13 cases," he said. "It is time to decide at once what constitutes a crime to be forwarded and what does not to be dismissed."

Regarding criticism that the police should recommend applying fraud charges in the case of HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk—who is accused of unjustly gaining approximately 260 billion won under charges of fraudulent unfair trading pursuant to the Capital Markets Act—he replied that the investigation team is currently reviewing the matter.

As for the investigation into suspicions of undue intervention by higher-ups during the appointment of former national football team coach Hong Myung-bo, he stated that the Financial Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Metropolitan Investigation Group is questioning those accused and witnesses across nine cases.

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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