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Kim Byung-kee Faces Second Day of Police Interrogation Over Bribery Allegations

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  • Rep. Kim Byung-kee, an independent formerly of the Democratic Party, arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Division in western Seoul on Feb. 27, 2026, to undergo questioning about allegations of misconduct and bribery. (Yonhap)
    Rep. Kim Byung-kee, an independent formerly of the Democratic Party, arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Division in western Seoul on Feb. 27, 2026, to undergo questioning about allegations of misconduct and bribery. (Yonhap)
    Image: Yonhap
    Rep. Kim Byung-kee, an independent formerly of the Democratic Party, arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Division in western Seoul on Feb. 27, 2026, to undergo questioning about allegations of misconduct and bribery. (Yonhap) Source Full size

Second-Day Questioning Commences at Seoul Metropolitan Police On February 27, 2026 the former Democratic Party lawmaker arrived at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Public Crime Investigation Division for a second consecutive day of questioning, following a marathon session the previous day [1]. Investigators continued their interview in the same public‑crime unit, maintaining the high‑profile nature of the probe [1]. The appearance marks the latest development in a case that has drawn national attention [1].

Allegations Detail Bribes and Misuse of Council Funds Prosecutors allege Kim received 30 million won (about US$21,000) from two Dongjak Ward Council members ahead of the 2020 general election, later returning the cash [1]. They also accuse him of accepting an expensive Korean Air accommodation voucher and of his wife improperly using the council’s credit card for personal expenses [1]. Thirteen separate accusations, ranging from bribery to council‑fund misuse, form the core of the investigation [1].

Kim Denies Charges After Extended Interview During a questioning that lasted more than 14 hours, Kim rejected the majority of the accusations, asserting his innocence on each point [1]. He maintained that the alleged payments and voucher were either misunderstood or unrelated to any illicit activity [1]. The lengthy interview underscores the investigators’ effort to obtain a comprehensive account of the alleged misconduct [1].

Lawmaker Promises Ongoing Cooperation With Investigators After the interview, Kim told reporters he would “continue to sincerely cooperate with the investigation,” emphasizing a willingness to assist authorities [1]. The statement aims to portray compliance despite the serious nature of the charges [1]. His pledge may influence public perception as the case proceeds [1].

Sources

Timeline

Oct 2010 – Dec 2012 – Kim Keon‑Hee allegedly conspires to rig Deutsch Motors’ stock, earning about 810 million won in illegal profits through short‑term trades coordinated via messenger, a scheme prosecutors later indict as part of her broader corruption case[2].

2020 – Former DP floor leader Kim Byung‑kee allegedly receives 30 million won from two Dongjak‑ward council members before the general election, later returns the money, and faces additional accusations of misusing a council credit card[4].

Sep 2022 – Spy‑camera footage captures Kim Keon‑Hee being handed a Chanel handbag worth 3 million won by a Unification Church pastor, exceeding the legal gift limit for officials’ spouses[2].

Apr – Jul 2022 – Kim Keon‑Hee accepts a Graff diamond necklace, several Chanel handbags and other luxury items valued at roughly 80 million won from Unification Church officials in exchange for business and political favors[1].

2022 local elections – Councilor Kim Kyung allegedly pays 100 million won to Rep. Kang Sun‑woo (via aide Nam) to secure a Democratic Party nomination for a council seat, a cash‑for‑nomination scheme that fuels a multi‑year bribery probe[14][15].

2022 presidential election – Yoon Suk‑Yeol wins the presidency with Kim Keon‑Hee as first lady, setting the stage for later investigations into their alleged misuse of office[1].

2024 – President Yoon declares a brief martial‑law decree that fails, leading to impeachment proceedings and later criminal charges for abuse of power and obstruction of justice[1].

Dec 2025 – Special counsel concludes a 180‑day probe, accusing Kim Keon‑Hee of illegal “behind‑curtains” intervention, stock‑price manipulation, and receiving gifts worth over 370 million won; the case is transferred to police for further action[20].

Dec 1 2025 – Seoul Mayor Oh Se‑hoon is indicted without detention for a proxy payment of 33 million won to power broker Myung Tae‑kyun for ten opinion polls ahead of the 2021 mayoral election, sparking a broader anti‑graft sweep linked to the former first lady’s case[27].

Dec 8 2025 – Lee, a key participant in the Deutsch Motors stock‑manipulation scheme, is indicted for pocketing illegal gains of 13 million won, with prosecutors citing messenger evidence of his coordination with Kim Keon‑Hee[26].

Dec 9 2025 – Preparatory hearing for Seoul Mayor Oh’s trial is set for Dec 23, with prosecutors alleging a 33 million won proxy payment for illegal political‑fund polls[25].

Dec 16 2025 – Special counsel raids the home and office of PPP lawmaker Kim Gi‑hyeon, seizing a Roger Vivier clutch allegedly given to Kim Keon‑Hee as a “social courtesy” gift tied to Unification‑Church recruitment efforts[23].

Dec 27 2025 – PPP Rep. Kim Gi‑hyeon and his wife are indicted for delivering a 2.6 million won luxury clutch to Kim Keon‑Hee, with investigators unable to prove bribery against President Yoon and referring the case to police[21].

Jan 2 2026 – The Democratic Party expels Rep. Kang Sun‑woo hours after she announces she will leave the party, citing the 100 million won nomination‑for‑pay allegation that has already triggered a police investigation[17].

Jan 5 2026 – Councilor Kim Kyung departs South Korea for the United States amid the ongoing DP nomination‑bribery probe, prompting police to request notification of her return[16].

Jan 6 2026 – Police interview a former aide suspected of holding the 100 million won cash allegedly given to Kang Sun‑woo, while an audio recording links Kang to DP nomination‑committee member Kim Byung‑kee[15].

Jan 12 2026 – A travel ban is imposed on Kang Sun‑woo, former councilor Kim Kyung and aide Nam, preventing them from leaving South Korea while investigators pursue the 100 million won nomination‑bribery case[14].

Jan 20 2026 – Kang Sun‑woo appears for her first police interview at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Public Crime Investigation Unit, having left the DP the previous month to sit as an independent[6].

Jan 22 2026 – Lee, wife of ex‑DP lawmaker Kim Byung‑kee, is questioned as a suspect in a Political Funds Act violation after allegedly receiving 30 million won from two Dongjak‑ward councilors in 2020 and using a councilor’s corporate card[11].

Jan 23 2026 – The Corruption Investigation Office raids special‑counsel head Min Joong‑ki’s Seoul office, seizing phones and alleging the probe favored the People Power Party while ignoring Democratic Party bribe allegations[10].

Jan 27 2026 – South Korean newspapers report that former first lady Kim Keon‑Hee receives a 20‑month prison term for accepting Unification‑Church gifts, while former President Yoon Suk‑Yeol has already been sentenced to five years for the 2024 martial‑law scandal[9].

Jan 28 2026 – Judge Woo In‑sung sentences Kim Keon‑Hee to 20 months in jail, orders forfeiture of 12.85 million won, and acquits her of stock‑price manipulation and poll‑fund charges, marking the first simultaneous conviction of a South Korean presidential couple[1].

Feb 2 2026 – Kim Keon‑Hee files an appeal challenging the 20‑month sentence, disputing the court’s findings on the Chanel bag and Graff necklace and seeking to “correct the facts and uncover the truth”[7].

Feb 3 2026 – Kang Sun‑woo returns for a second police interview, apologizes for causing public concern, and declines to answer reporters’ questions as the investigation into the 100 million won nomination bribe continues[6].

Feb 5 2026 – Seoul police request arrest warrants for Rep. Kang Sun‑woo and ex‑councilor Kim Kyung, alleging they participated in the 2022 bribery scheme; Kang faces up to four years for breach‑of‑trust, while Kim faces up to 18 months[5].

Feb 27 2026 – Former DP lawmaker Kim Byung‑kee appears for a second day of police questioning, denies the 13‑hour allegations of bribery and fund misuse, and pledges continued cooperation with investigators[4].

Feb 13 2026 (planned) – A sentencing hearing for Lee, the associate who allegedly gave 300 million won in checks to Kim Keon‑Hee, is scheduled, indicating the probe’s expansion into alleged influence‑peddling beyond the first‑lady case[24].

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