Police Receive Complaint Calling for Investigation into Rep. Kim Seung-won over Alleged Sexual Misconduct

Police have received a complaint urging an investigation into Democratic Party Representative Kim Seung-won, who stepped down as a candidate for Minister of Justice, over allegations of sexual misconduct.

The civic group Citizens' Coalition for Democratic Society submitted the complaint accusing Rep. Kim of forcible Indecency to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency this afternoon.

In the complaint, the group stated, "A petition submitted by Rep. Kim's former aide contains claims that during a drinking gathering attended by Rep. Kim around June 2024, another participant protested after claiming to have suffered sexual misconduct," adding, "We ask that the facts of the crime be uncovered through a swift and thorough investigation."

Earlier yesterday, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Chief Go Beom-seok addressed the possibility of initiating a preliminary investigation into the allegations during a press briefing, stating, "Don't we need materials that serve as a basis for an investigation? Investigating based solely on suspicions could lead to arbitrary investigations."

However, in response to a question asking whether an investigation could take place if a complaint were filed, Chief Go answered in the affirmative.

With a complaint urging an investigation now filed regarding the allegations, expectations are rising that the police may launch an investigation after reviewing the complaint, such as attempting to secure the petition.

The allegations against Rep. Kim emerged after he held a press conference on the 19th announcing his resignation as a candidate for Minister of Justice.

Media reports surfaced stating that "a petition by former aides urging the withdrawal of Rep. Kim's nomination for Minister of Justice had been delivered to the presidential office."

The petition reportedly contains allegations of Rep. Kim's past sexual misconduct, efforts by aides to cover it up, additional allegations of drunk driving, and habitual verbal abuse and profanity directed at his aides.

In response, Rep. Kim's side stated, "Rumors regarding the petition are inconsistent with the facts or contain exaggerated errors."

Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Jang Yu-jin | Graphics by Lee Su-min | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.