11 Months into Investigation of Rep. Kim Byung-kee: Will an External Review Committee Be Convened?

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As police investigations into various allegations surrounding independent Representative Kim Byung-kee have remained stalled for nearly a year, calls for convening an Investigation Review Committee are mounting. Controversy is growing as police leadership merely repeats that more time is needed to review the case.

Here is a report by Jeong Jiyeon.

[Reporter]

A former aide, identified as Mr. A, who exposed 13 allegations against independent Representative Kim Byung-kee, submitted an application to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency this afternoon (August 3) requesting the convening of an Investigation Review Committee.

In the application, Mr. A stated, "The intentional delay in the investigation has reached an intolerable level," adding, "It is necessary to review whether the failure to apply for an arrest warrant stems from other circumstances, such as leadership hesitating out of concern for political power."

Previously, a civic group that filed complaints regarding allegations including Rep. Kim's second son's intervention in a transfer admission to Soongsil University also recently requested an investigation review, stating, "It raises suspicions that the delay is caused by circumstances other than investigative capability."

Calls for the convening of an Investigation Review Committee are following one after another because the police have failed for 11 months to reach a decision on how to handle Rep. Kim, let alone release the results of the investigation.

The last of the seven total summons and questioning sessions took place in April, at which time Rep. Kim made the following remarks:

[Kim Byung-kee / Independent Representative (Last April): It feels like I am being called in too many times, but anyway, I will faithfully explain my position. Is there any reason why an arrest warrant would be requested?]

Hong Seok-ki, head of the National Office of Investigation, responded to reporters' questions during a regular briefing today asking whether it was a "lack of capability," saying, "The investigation has been wrapped up in broad terms," but adding, "The more important a case is, if we do not review it thoroughly, the prosecution may demand a high volume of supplementary investigations."

[Kwak Jun-ho / Criminal Defense Attorney: It seems to be related to the will to investigate. Rep. Kim's case itself is not tremendously complex. If you investigate the related parties, aspects are brought to light quickly.]

The police recently decided not to forward all cases involving independent Representative Kang Seon-woo, who had been accused of workplace abuse against aides and split-donation allegations, citing insufficient evidence.

While police leadership repeatedly emphasizes careful judgment, concerns are growing over the investigative capabilities of the police, who are tasked with handling high-profile corruption cases ahead of the abolition of the prosecutors' office slated for next October.

(Video Editing: Kim Jong-tae, Design: Lee Jun-ho)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.