Kim Byunggi Wishes "Everything Goes Smoothly"... Kwon Seongdong's Lunar New Year Message of "Injustice"

New Year’s greetings from Kim Byunggi and Kwon Seongdong on social media

To mark the Lunar New Year holiday, independent lawmaker Kim Byunggi, a former floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Seongdong, who is currently in custody, sent New Year’s greetings to their supporters.

On Feb. 15, Kim wrote on social media (SNS), "A new year full of hope has dawned," adding, "I pray that this year will be a meaningful one in which peace and laughter are always with you, and everything you wish for goes smoothly. I wish you a very happy New Year."

Former Democratic Party floor leader Kim Byunggi apologized on Jan. 19 at the National Assembly Press Center, expressing his feelings regarding the Ethics Tribunal's decision to expel him and related matters. Kim said, "I will not file for a retrial of the disciplinary action and will leave." Jan. 19, 2026 Kim Hyunmin, Reporter

Kim became embroiled in 13 allegations, including receiving nomination bribes, misusing his spouse’s corporate credit card, receiving hotel vouchers from Korean Air, and arranging a job for his second son. After the party Ethics Tribunal decided to expel him, he voluntarily left the party on Jan. 19.

Screenshot of Representative Kwon Seongdong's Facebook.

On Feb. 13, Kwon posted a message on Facebook titled "A Letter from Kwon Seongdong of Gangneung." In a four-page A4 letter addressed to the citizens of Gangneung, Kwon wrote, "The more fierce the snowstorm, the greener the sea pines of Gangneung shine," and added, "I will surely return to my hometown of Gangneung, carrying with me the spring of truth."

Kwon also claimed that his constitutionally guaranteed right to defense had been violated, saying, "The fundamental principles of criminal judgments, namely the presumption of innocence and the principle of trial based on evidence, have collapsed," and added, "I express my deep regret over this guilty verdict, which was handed down solely on the basis of conjecture."

In the attached letter, Kwon wrote that he had been "wronged," stating, "In my entire life, I have never coveted even a single penny of illicit money. If I were someone who so easily accepted dirty money, I would never have been able to reach the undeserved position of a five-term National Assembly member."

He continued, "All the more so, the idea of readily accepting a large sum of money from someone who is practically a stranger is an intolerable insult that puts my entire life on the line," adding, "In the appeals trial, I will surely return to your side carrying the spring of truth, which is my innocence."

Kwon was indicted without detention in September last year on charges of receiving 100 million won from the Unification Church side. On Jan. 28, he was sentenced in the first trial to two years in prison.

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