Police still unable to wrap up Kim Byung-kee probe after 10 months

By Kim Do-yoon, The Herald Business

Police have yet to reach a conclusion in their investigation of independent lawmaker Kim Byung-kee, nearly a year after launching the probe, and repeated Sunday that they are "pushing hard for a swift resolution."

Hong Seok-gi, director of the Korean National Police Agency's investigation bureau, told reporters at a regular press briefing at the agency's headquarters in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, that the investigation has dragged on because "there are 13 allegations to work through — some have been sorted out, while others still need to be verified." He added that the agency would "wrap things up as quickly as possible," reiterating a position it has consistently maintained.

Asked whether police might take Kim into custody, Hong said investigators are "conducting a swift yet thorough investigation, as we must first make a clear determination on whether a crime has been committed." He said it was impossible to predict at this stage whether Kim would be detained, adding that the investigation is focused on determining whether the allegations are substantiated and whether to refer the case to prosecutors or close it without referral.

The investigation into Kim began in September last year and has now entered its 10th month.

Police had earlier considered referring completed portions of the case to prosecutors before finishing the rest. Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency chief Park Jeong-bo said at a May 18 press briefing that he was "thinking of wrapping up the completed charges first, given how many there are," signaling the possibility of a partial referral.

National Investigation Headquarters chief Park Seong-ju, however, said at a June 8 press briefing that "it is right for the entire investigation into all the allegations to conclude at once."

Police now appear likely to issue a final ruling only after comprehensively reviewing all the allegations together, rather than proceeding with a partial referral.

Kim faces allegations that include accepting and then returning 30 million won (about $19,500) in candidate nomination fees from two former Dongjak-gu council members; intervening to quash a police investigation into his spouse's alleged misuse of a corporate credit card; using his influence to secure his second son's transfer admission to Soongsil University and a job at Bithumb; and assigning work related to his eldest son — an active National Intelligence Service employee — to his parliamentary office staff.