Police Say Investigation into Rep. Kim Byung-ki Nearing Completion After 10 Months

The police, who have been investigating 13 allegations surrounding independent lawmaker Kim Byung-ki for 10 months, stated that the investigation is nearing its final stages.

An official from the National Police Agency said during a regular press briefing today (July 20), when asked about the delay in processing the case against Rep. Kim, "As there are numerous allegations raised, it has taken time to review the validity of various charges and the legal principles involved."

The official added, "The investigation is in its final phase," but noted, "It is difficult to say it will be concluded today or tomorrow."

Regarding the case of HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk, who is under investigation for alleged fraudulent unfair trading by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Metropolitan Investigation Division—the same unit handling Rep. Kim's case—the official said, "We are communicating closely with the prosecution and the investigation is ongoing," adding, "It is difficult to provide specific details."

The police, who have been investigating Chairman Bang's case for over a year, previously applied for arrest warrants twice, but the prosecution rejected or dismissed them.

Concerning allegations of a police cover-up in the Jang Yoon-gi case, the official explained, "We have booked four people so far and are investigating," adding, "We are conducting additional investigations following the referral of the violent crimes team leader. We are working closely with the prosecution on practical matters during this process."

The team leader in question is Inspector Park, a member of the detective division at the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station who was in charge of the initial investigation into the Jang Yoon-gi case. It was revealed that he had instructed team members not to "steer the case toward sexual issues" during the investigation.

Regarding the decision on July 14 by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Security Investigation Division to dismiss the complaint against President Lee Jae-myung for alleged treason and abuse of power, based on the judgment that "it is difficult to view the Ssangbangwool Group's North Korea remittances as having been carried out under the direction of President Lee Jae-myung," the official explained, "The dismissal decision was made after a sufficient review of legal principles and precedents."

On the investigation into allegations of improper intervention by "higher-ups" in the process of appointing former national football team coach Hong Myung-bo, the official stated, "The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Financial Crime Investigation Division is investigating nine cases transferred from the Jongno Police Station," and added, "We are strictly conducting investigations of the accused and witnesses."

Regarding cases of "law distortion," the police reported that out of 735 total cases received, 390 have been closed through non-referral or transfer to other agencies, while 345 cases are currently under investigation.

Regarding the National Police Agency's "Special Investigation Headquarters for the 3 Major Special Prosecutors," which took over cases from special prosecutors, the police stated that 16 cases have been referred and 42 cases have not been booked or referred.

The 2nd Comprehensive Special Investigation Team led by Kwon Chang-young, which investigates remaining allegations following the 3 major special prosecutors, has closed 119 cases, including transferring 61 cases to the Ministry of National Defense.

Currently, 18 cases are under investigation, including the case involving allegations of abuse of power by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, which closed the "Kim Keon-hee luxury bag receipt case" without charges.

Furthermore, the police reported that since the briefing on June 8, they have investigated former Presidential Office Secretary for General Affairs Yoon Jae-soon, former Director of the First Presidential Office Kang Ki-gu, political broker Myung Tae-kyun, and People Power Party lawmaker Cho Eun-hee as suspects.

Regarding the timing of the dissolution of the Special Investigation Headquarters, the official said, "As the investigation has been largely completed, we are considering various plans, such as downsizing the operation of the headquarters."

When asked if the Special Investigation Headquarters is taking over the remaining cases from the Comprehensive Special Prosecutor, the official replied, "Nothing has been decided."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.