Suspicion of 'Preferential Loan' Against Kim Eui-gyeom Prompts Full-Scale Police Investigation... Seoul Police Chief "Case Received and Assigned"

Request for Investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission... Rep. Kim "It Is Not True"
Regarding the 'Fake Fisherman' Allegation
Kim Moo-sung and Joo Ho-young Confirming Facts

Assemblyman Kim Ui-gyeom of the Open Democratic Party. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The police are expected to launch a full-scale investigation into Kim Eui-gyeom, a member of the Open Democratic Party, who has been accused of 'preferential loans.'

Choi Gwan-ho, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, stated at a press conference on the 30th, "The case related to Kim's loan, which the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission requested an investigation on, will be received and assigned by the end of the day."

The Anti-Corruption Commission previously confirmed allegations of 'use of confidential information in the course of duty' that Kim purchased a commercial-residential building in Heukseok-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, using secret information while serving as the Blue House spokesperson. They announced that they forwarded the case to the government joint special investigation headquarters for investigation. Although not publicly announced, suspicions of preferential treatment in the loan process when Kim purchased the commercial-residential building were also forwarded to the special investigation headquarters. Kim has stated that "this is not true."

Police investigations related to the so-called 'fake fisheries businessman' case are also ongoing. So far, seven people have been booked, excluding Kim (43, detained), who impersonated a fisheries businessman. The police are examining allegations that former Liberty Korea Party (now People Power Party) lawmaker Kim Moo-sung received imported cars from Kim for several months, and that People Power Party lawmaker Joo Ho-young received high-end seafood from Kim and sent it to a monk he is close to. Commissioner Choi said, "We are verifying the facts and will decide on whether to book suspects soon."

Additionally, Commissioner Choi said regarding the investigation into Merge Plus, the operator of Merge Point, which faced a 'eat-and-run' scandal, "We have completed the search and seizure and are analyzing the materials," adding, "We are coordinating schedules to summon related persons." Currently, three people, including Kwon Nam-hee, CEO of Merge Plus (37), have been booked.

The police are also conducting investigations related to bribery and embezzlement allegations against Yoo Deok-yeol, mayor of Dongdaemun District. Yoo has denied the allegations, stating, "I assume the investigation is proceeding based on someone's anonymous report," and "I have never embezzled public funds for personal use under any circumstances." Meanwhile, the police have completed two complainant investigations related to the so-called 'X-file' of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl and are continuing to analyze materials related to the Discovery Fund investigation.

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