Seoul: A Seoul city councilor announced her resignation amid allegations of bribery, stating she had bribed a lawmaker for a nomination ahead of the 2022 local elections.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Kyung declared her intention to resign through a statement issued by her lawyer. She confirmed that her resignation letter was submitted to the chair of the Seoul Metropolitan Council earlier that day. Kim is currently under police investigation for allegedly providing 100 million won (US$69,300) to Rep. Kang Sun-woo. Kang, who recently left the ruling Democratic Party (DP) to become an independent, is accused of accepting the money in exchange for supporting Kim's councilorship nomination.
In her statement, Kim expressed remorse, acknowledging her failure to uphold the ethical responsibilities expected of a public official. She admitted to the mistake without offering excuses and vowed to comply fully with ongoing investigations, promising to uncover the truth and accept any legal consequences.
The controversy surfaced at the end of last month after a recording was leaked, revealing Kang discussing the alleged bribe with then DP Rep. Kim Byung-kee. Subsequently, Kim Byung-kee resigned from his position as floor leader to address this and other misconduct allegations involving him and his family.
Authorities have also initiated a separate investigation into claims that the city councilor conspired to offer bribes for a nomination in the 2023 by-election for a Seoul district office chief. Kim's resignation was announced a day before the Seoul Metropolitan Council was set to initiate disciplinary actions against her. An official from the council's ethics committee confirmed that the meeting would proceed as planned at 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
Kim was anticipated to face expulsion, and councilors from the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) criticized her decision to resign as "cowardly," suggesting she did so to avoid expulsion. Unlike expulsion, resignation does not affect a councilor's disciplinary record. The PPP members have called for Kim's arrest warrant, a thorough investigation into her allegations, and an apology from the DP to the residents of Seoul.