 |
| ▲ Independent lawmaker Kim Byung-kee's wife, surnamed Lee, arrives at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit in western Seoul on Jan. 22, 2026, for questioning about bribery allegations. (Yonhap) |
lawmaker wife-police
Ex-DP lawmaker's wife appears before police over alleged bribery
SEOUL, Jan. 22 (Yonhap) -- Former Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-kee's wife, surnamed Lee, appeared before police Thursday to be questioned about bribery allegations.
Lee arrived at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit in the afternoon to be grilled as a suspect in violation of the Political Funds Act.
Lee is suspected of receiving illegal political funds worth 30 million won (US$20,320) from two members of the Dongjak Ward Council in 2020 and returning the money three to five months later. She allegedly received 20 million won from a Dongjak councilor in January 2020 and 10 million won from another councilor about two months later.
Lee was tight-lipped when reporters asked her if she received money from Dongjak councilors and if her husband was aware of the cash acceptance.
The police are expected to question Lee about whether she first requested the money from the councilors and whether she actually accepted the money and then returned it. They already questioned one of the councilors Wednesday.
Kim, who defected from the ruling party earlier this week, has denied the bribery allegations. The southern Seoul ward of Dongjak is Kim's constituency.
Lee has separately been under police investigation on suspicion of personally using a Dongjak councilor's corporate card between July and September 2022.
(END)
(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved
