Former Floor Leader Kim Byung-ki of the Democratic Party of Korea attends a general meeting of lawmakers at the National Assembly on the 30th, ahead of a plenary session. [Photo=Yonhap News]

In April 2022, just one day before the local elections. A recorded conversation between Kim Byung-ki, then-secretary-general of the Democratic Party of Korea's Seoul chapter nomination committee, and Kang Sun-woo, a committee member, was revealed through the media on the 29th, prompting the police to launch a formal investigation on the 31st into allegations of nomination bribery. 

Nomination Pushed Through Despite Awareness of Bribery Allegations

The recording includes Kim's remarks, such as "I cannot help you now that I've heard about the money" and "This will escalate beyond legal responsibility," and Kang's response, "Please save me," showing her psychological distress.

The recording is from a conversation that took place in April 2022, the day before the third round of Seoul city council nominations for the Democratic Party was announced, ahead of the local elections. The candidate mentioned in the conversation, Kim Gyeong, actually received the party's nomination afterward.

Although Kim stated at the time, "I cannot help you" and "Why are you discussing this issue with me?", there has been no confirmation of any halt in the nomination process or subsequent investigation.

Typically, if bribery allegations are known, a candidate would be excluded from the nomination or a fact-finding process would be conducted. It is unclear whether such measures were taken in this case.

This raises questions not only about the integrity of a specific individual but also about whether the nomination management system, emphasized by the Democratic Party, functioned as it should have.

Denials and Explanations Repeated Without Accountability

Following the release of the recording, Kang explained, "I have never promised a nomination in exchange for money, nor have I received any," and added, "I ordered an immediate refund."

Kim also evaded the core question regarding the recording, stating, "I did not record it myself."

However, what the public wants to know is not who made the recording. They want to know why the nomination proceeded despite awareness of the allegations and who is responsible for it.

Within political circles, there were assessments such as "This is unimaginable for a sitting lawmaker," but the attitude of those involved is seen as close to evading responsibility.

Police Investigation Launched… Now in the Realm of Legal Judgment

Initially, the Democratic Party ordered an ethics audit only for Kang. However, criticism of a "selective audit" has emerged, as individuals implicated in the alleged money transfer and those responsible for the nominations were excluded from the investigation.

Ultimately, the matter has reached a stage where the truth can only be determined through an investigation.

Accordingly, on the 31st, the police launched a formal investigation into the alleged nomination bribery. The case has been assigned to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and the investigation is reportedly focused on the veracity of the recorded conversation, whether money was actually exchanged, and the entire nomination decision-making process.

It is expected that the investigation will clarify who made the recording and through what means, whether money was actually transferred, and whether any undue influence was exerted during the nomination process.

Reporter Jung Woo-seok