Kim Bong-hyun, who exposed prosecutor's entertainment bribery, says "I will reveal all suspicions if a National Assembly hearing is held"

Statement Released on the 10th: "Drinking Entertainment Date is July 12 or 18, Last Year"
"KakaoTalk Conversations with Entertainment-Related Persons Deleted... Don't Know Who Did It"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Kim Bong-hyun, former chairman of Star Mobility (46, currently detained), who revealed that he provided alcohol entertainment to three current and former prosecutors, disclosed the date when the alcohol entertainment took place. Along with this, he requested the establishment of a forum such as a National Assembly hearing to resolve the suspicions.

On the 10th, Kim’s legal representative issued a statement specifying the date of the alcohol entertainment to the prosecutors as one day between July 12 and 18 of last year.

Kim’s side stated, "This is based on forensic data from the mobile phones of related parties and call records presented by the prosecution," adding, "Since the bar was frequently visited, it was difficult to pinpoint just one day, but even just by looking at the KakaoTalk messages between the related parties on the already seized mobile phones, the conversation on the day is evident, so the date can be identified immediately."

However, it was reported that Kim could not confirm the exact date because the conversation history with the related parties recorded on the mobile phone at the time had been deleted. It is understood that the mobile phone submitted to the prosecution is currently undergoing restoration and other procedures. Kim stated that he does not know who deleted the conversation history or for what reason.

Kim’s side said, "Forensic data showed that KakaoTalk messages with the related parties had been deleted," and added, "In such cases, about 20% of deleted conversations can be restored through forensics."

They continued, "Kim does not know who deleted the messages, but if someone who knew that KakaoTalk messages had already been deleted on the previously seized mobile phones, they might have thought it would be difficult for Kim to easily find evidence. This is just speculation," and explained the background for specifying the date, saying, "Call records of related parties that had already been seized remained, and although a year has passed since the date of the alcohol entertainment, the seizure period was within one year from the date of the alcohol entertainment, so call records from July 2019 could be checked."

July 12 and 18 of last year are known as the dates when large amounts of alcohol bills were paid according to Kim’s receipts, and also the dates when calls were made between lawyer A, a bar employee, and Lee Jong-pil, former vice president of Lime.

Kim’s side explained, "On one of those dates, at 22:59:25, lawyer A called Kim for 4 seconds and spoke, then sent a message again at 23:01:57, and at 23:18:52 and 23:19:21, Kim called the bar employee twice and spoke," adding, "Based on this, it was testified to the prosecution that lawyer A contacted Kim saying ‘You can come to this room now,’ and Kim contacted the bar employee asking to ‘pay special attention to this room.’"

Furthermore, Kim requested a forum such as a National Assembly hearing to resolve the suspicions. Kim’s side said, "If the National Assembly creates a hearing or other form of forum, Kim firmly believes it will be a valuable opportunity to clarify the details that the public is curious about and resolve doubts," and added, "There is hope and expectation that such a forum will be established."

Meanwhile, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office, which is investigating allegations that Kim provided inappropriate entertainment to a current prosecutor, one of whom later joined the Lime investigation team as a senior official, is expected to summon and investigate the related parties as soon as the date is specified.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.