Statute of Limitations Pressure... High Possibility of One-Shot Investigation into Kim Hye-kyung's 'Corporate Card Misuse Allegation'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Sung-pil] The police investigation into the 'corporate card misuse suspicion' case involving Kim Hye-kyung, spouse of Lee Jae-myung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is expected to conclude after just one session. Given that the statute of limitations under the Public Official Election Act expires early next month, it is analyzed that there is physically insufficient time to conduct multiple investigations.

According to investigative authorities on the 16th, the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Unit of the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency sent a summons to Kim, the suspect in this case, on the 9th and has been continuously coordinating the schedule for her appearance. Although it is customary for the investigation to proceed within a week after the summons is issued, Kim had not appeared before the police as of that morning. As Kim’s summons is delayed, the police plan to conclude the related investigation by mid-August also seems inevitably disrupted. Previously, a Gyeonggi Nambu Police official stated that the investigation into Kim’s corporate card misuse suspicion would be completed around mid-month.

Kim’s corporate card misuse suspicion case is time-sensitive due to the statute of limitations under the Public Official Election Act. According to the regulation that the statute of limitations for election law violation cases is 'six months after the election day (March 9 presidential election),' it expires on the 9th of next month. For the prosecution to review the records and decide whether to indict, the case must be handed over at least ten days before the statute of limitations expires. This means the police have less than half a month left to investigate Kim and decide whether to transfer the case.

From the police perspective, there is a justified complaint about the lack of time to uncover the substantive truth. However, it is not easy to summon and investigate the spouse of a sitting National Assembly member multiple times within a short period without securing the suspect’s whereabouts. With the Democratic Party’s party convention scheduled for the 28th, there is also a considerable possibility of facing political attacks from opposition parties if additional investigations are conducted against Lee’s spouse, a leading candidate for party leadership.

Appearance of the Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency

Considering these circumstances, it is highly likely that Kim’s summons and investigation will conclude after just one session. An official from an investigative agency, who requested anonymity, said, "Investigating the spouse of a leading opposition party candidate itself would be a burden for the investigative agency," and added, "It is expected that the police investigation of Kim will mainly be to verify the contents already investigated." In fact, the police have conducted raids on the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office and restaurants where the corporate card was used, and have investigated most of the case-related persons except Kim. The investigation is reportedly in its final stages.

Kim is expected to appear before the police for a non-public investigation soon. About four years ago, during the so-called 'Hyekyunggung Kim' case, Kim appeared before the police for a suspect investigation in a non-public manner but abruptly left after her appearance was reported by the media. At that time, Kim’s side protested, suggesting that the police might have leaked information to the media despite agreeing to keep the investigation confidential. The police are reportedly planning not to summon Kim publicly to protect her privacy and due to this precedent.

The suspicion involves Kim allegedly using a corporate card to pay for personal meals through Bae, a former level 5 special appointment public official at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government, and illegally obtaining prescriptions. Previously, the People Power Party claimed in December last year that "Kim had Bae as her personal secretary for three years since 2018," raising suspicions that "the three years’ salary of a public officer paid with taxpayers’ money was used for 'Kim Hye-kyung’s protocol'." They filed complaints against Lee, Kim, and Bae on charges including abuse of power and loss of public funds. Ahead of the presidential election in February this year, additional complaints were filed alleging that Kim used public officials for private errands such as food delivery and household chores, paid for personal meals with the Gyeonggi Province corporate card, and illegally obtained prescriptions under other people’s names.

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