▲ Seoul city councilor Kim Kyung is seen in this file photo provided by the council. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) ruling party-bribery allegations

(LEAD) Seoul city councilor admits to giving money to lawmaker ahead of 2022 local elections

(ATTN: ADDS more details in paras 5-7)

SEOUL, Jan. 9 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul city councilor embroiled in a bribery scandal involving the ruling Democratic Party (DP) has admitted to giving money to a lawmaker in the lead-up to the 2022 local elections, sources said Friday.

Kim Kyung, the councilor in question, has been under investigation over allegations that she gave 100 million won (US$68,600) to an aide of Rep. Kang Sun-woo, formerly of the DP, allegedly in exchange for her constituency nomination ahead of the 2022 elections.

In a recently submitted statement to police, Kim admitted to handing over the 100 million won and getting it back.

Kim is currently in the United States after leaving the country on Dec. 31, soon after a complaint was filed against her over the bribery allegations.

Amid suspicions that her departure was an attempt to evade investigation, Kim said she is scheduled to return home on Monday morning.

Police have placed her on an entry notification list and plan to impose a travel ban and begin questioning her upon arrival, though the schedule for the probe has yet to be set, officials said.

Kim was seen attending CES 2026 in Las Vegas earlier this week, fueling further controversy.

Separately, Seoul city councilors of the main opposition People Power Party are preparing a motion to take disciplinary action against Kim, including possible expulsion from the Seoul Metropolitan Council.

A final decision on the disciplinary action is expected to be made as early as next month.

Kim, who was elected into office as a DP candidate in the 2022 elections, left the party in September over separate allegations that she attempted to mass recruit followers of a religious group into the DP in a bid to support a certain candidate in this year's local elections.

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