Dec 30, 2025 – A recording from April 2022 captures Kang Sun‑woo and DP nomination‑committee secretary Kim Byung‑kee discussing a 100 million‑won payment for a council nomination; the Democratic Party orders an ethics probe, the People Power Party files criminal complaints, and Kim Byung‑kee resigns after issuing an apology [27].

Dec 31, 2025 – Police open a bribery probe into Kang Sun‑woo after opposition lawmakers file a complaint alleging she received 100 million won via an aide in the 2022 local elections; Kang resigns from the DP floor leadership and investigators plan to question an activist about a alleged Coupang meeting [26].

Jan 1, 2026 – Kang Sun‑woo quits the Democratic Party, saying she burdens the party, after an audio link to a 100 million‑won payment for a 2022 council nomination surfaces; the DP expels her hours later, demands swift discipline against Kim Byung‑kee, and Kang pledges to cooperate with investigators [24][25].

Jan 2, 2026 – The DP formally expels Kang Sun‑woo while the opposition PPP calls for a special counsel to probe the alleged nomination‑for‑payment scheme; Kim Byung‑kee resigns from the DP floor leadership, and PPP spokesperson warns the case threatens democratic nomination processes [23].

Jan 5, 2026 – Seoul councilor Kim Kyung leaves for the United States as police seek entry notification and consider a travel ban; the DP expels Kang Sun‑woo and an audio recording of her discussion with Kim Byung‑kee intensifies scrutiny, and a civic group files a complaint accusing Rep. Kim Byung‑kee of illegal 2020 political funds [20][21][22].

Jan 6, 2026 – Police question former aide Nam as a suspect in the 100 million‑won bribery tied to the 2022 local elections, noting an audio link between Kang and DP nomination‑committee secretary Kim Byung‑kee; Nam denies any knowledge of the cash [19].

Jan 8, 2026 – Police interview a former Dongjak Ward council member about an alleged 10 million‑won delivery to Rep. Kim Byung‑kee in March 2020, a claim first revealed in a late‑2023 petition and tied to a 2020 parliamentary nomination [18].

Jan 9, 2026 – Councilor Kim Kyung admits handing 100 million won to Kang Sun‑woo’s aide to secure her 2022 council nomination, later retrieving the money; the PPP prepares a disciplinary motion that could expel her from the Seoul Metropolitan Council [16][17].

Jan 11, 2026 – Kim Kyung returns from the United States to face the bribery probe after police raid her office and homes and those of Kang Sun‑woo and aide Nam; she had attended CES 2026 in Las Vegas, drawing public criticism [14][15].

Jan 12, 2026 – Police impose a travel ban on Kang Sun‑woo, councilor Kim Kyung, and aide Nam while continuing raids to seize evidence; the ban stays in effect until investigators gather more material, and a recording shows Kang discussing the payment with Kim Byung‑kee [13].

Jan 14, 2026 – Police raid the homes and offices of DP lawmaker Kim Byung‑kee, seizing evidence of 30 million won illegal political funds from two Dongjak councilors in 2020, a Korean Air voucher, and other alleged favors; Kim resigns as DP floor leader and faces a travel ban [11][12].

Jan 15, 2026 – Seoul’s public crimes unit summons Kang Sun‑woo for Tuesday questioning about the alleged 100 million‑won bribe from councilor Kim Kyung, while councilor Kim Kyung undergoes a second interrogation and hands over her tablet and laptop as evidence [9][10].

Jan 17, 2026 – Former aide Nam returns for a second police interview, keeping his hood up and refusing comment, as investigators plan to summon Kang Sun‑woo on Tuesday to clarify the cash handover; Nam continues to deny receiving the money [7][8].

Jan 18, 2026 – Police conduct a third round of questioning of councilor Kim Kyoung and aide Nam; Kim claims she personally gave the cash to Kang at a café, while Nam says he moved an “item” into Kang’s trunk without knowing it contained cash [6].

Jan 20, 2026 – Kang Sun‑woo appears for her first police interview after defecting from the DP, with investigators probing whether she knew of the 100 million‑won receipt, when it was returned, and why the nomination proceeded despite the alleged payment; she declines to comment on the bribery claims [5].

Jan 22, 2026 – Police question Lee, wife of former DP lawmaker Kim Byung‑kee, as a suspect in a 2020 Political Funds Act violation involving 30 million won from two Dongjak councilors, and also probe her alleged misuse of a councilor’s corporate card [4].

Jan 26, 2026 – Councilor Kim Kyung resigns from the Seoul Metropolitan Council ahead of an ethics hearing, preempting expulsion, while a leaked audio clip linking Kang to Rep. Kim Byung‑kee had already forced his resignation as DP floor leader; the ethics committee proceeds with its scheduled session [2][3].

Feb 3, 2026 – Kang Sun‑woo appears for a second police interview, apologizing for public concern but refusing reporters’ questions; prosecutors allege she received 100 million won from councilor Kim Kyung in January 2022 for a nomination, while Kim and a former aide dispute her claim of ignorance about the cash in a shopping bag, and police also investigate additional donations of about 130 million won made under borrowed names between Oct 2022 and Dec 2023 [1].