(C) KBS

SEOUL — Representative Kim Byung-kee of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) is facing intensifying scrutiny over allegations that he solicited a political rival to interfere with a police investigation involving his wife. Despite Kim’s vehement denials, recent revelations regarding his schedule and whistleblower testimonies have sparked a formal investigation by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.

The "Breakfast Meeting" Controversy
At the heart of the scandal is a suspected quid pro quo involving a high-ranking People Power Party (PPP) lawmaker—referred to as "Lawmaker A"—who is a former senior police official. According to internal office logs obtained by the press, Rep. Kim had a scheduled breakfast meeting with "Lawmaker A" on July 23, 2024.

This meeting is significant because it occurred just one month before the Dongjak Police Station abruptly dropped an investigation into Kim’s wife. Kim’s spouse was under fire for the alleged misappropriation of public corporate cards (often called "law cards") belonging to a former Dongjak District Council Vice Chairperson between July and November 2022.

Whistleblower Claims and Procedural Anomalies
The allegations gained traction following a statement submitted to the police by a former aide of Rep. Kim, identified as "Person B." The whistleblower claimed that Kim personally visited "Lawmaker A" to ask him to call the Dongjak Police Chief. According to the aide, Kim later returned to the office and boasted that the lawmaker had made the call on the spot, instructing the police "not to conduct an unreasonable investigation."

Adding to the suspicion, the investigation was closed on August 27, 2024, due to "insufficient evidence." The whistleblower argued that the police failed to perform basic due diligence, such as interviewing the restaurant owners where the cards were allegedly used, before finalizing the "no-charge" conclusion.

Shifting Explanations and Legal Fallout
The response from the involved parties has been characterized by shifting narratives. Initially, Rep. Kim’s office acknowledged the breakfast meeting, stating it was held at the request of a former ministerial-level official to discuss policy issues like Artificial Intelligence (AI). However, the office later retracted this statement, claiming the staff had confused the meeting with another event and that the two lawmakers had never met.

"Lawmaker A" and the then-Police Chief have both denied the phone call ever took place, dismissing the claims as a political frame-up.

Nevertheless, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is now handling 13 criminal complaints against Rep. Kim. These include violations of the Anti-Graft Act (Kim Young-ran Act), dereliction of duty, and abuse of power. The Public Crime Investigation Sphere is currently spearheading the probe, which has also expanded to include allegations regarding the leak of confidential police documents and separate suspicions regarding Kim’s son’s university admission.

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