Seoul Councilor Kim Kyung Faces Travel Ban and Possible Expulsion After Bribery Admission
Updated (2 articles)
Councilor admits handing 100 million won to lawmaker’s aide Kim Kyung told police she gave 100 million won to an aide of Rep. Kang Sun‑woo to secure her constituency nomination for the 2022 local elections, then retrieved the cash [1][2]. The payment is central to a bribery probe involving the Democratic Party, and authorities continue to examine the circumstances of the transfer [1][2].
Departure abroad and pending travel restrictions Kim left South Korea on 31 December, shortly after a complaint was filed, and is currently in the United States [1][2]. Police have placed her on an entry‑notification list, intend to impose a travel ban, and plan to question her upon her return, though a specific schedule has not been set [1][2].
Opposition prepares disciplinary motion Members of the People Power Party on the Seoul Metropolitan Council are drafting a motion that could expel Kim from the council, with a decision expected as early as next month [1][2]. The disciplinary effort reflects mounting pressure from the opposition amid the bribery allegations [1][2].
Political background and recent public appearance Kim was elected as a Democratic Party candidate in 2022 but left the party in September over separate accusations of mass‑recruiting a religious group’s followers for election support [1][2]. She was spotted at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, adding further public scrutiny to her case [1].
Sources (2 articles)
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[1]
Yonhap: Seoul councilor admits paying money to lawmaker ahead of 2022 local elections – Details Kim’s admission of the 100 million‑won payment, her departure to the U.S., police travel‑ban plans, and the opposition’s disciplinary motion .
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[2]
Yonhap: Seoul councilor admits giving 100 million won to lawmaker's aide ahead of 2022 local elections – Reiterates the payment’s link to her nomination bid, her exit on Dec. 31, the People Power Party’s expulsion proposal, and her prior DP affiliation and CES appearance .
Timeline
2022 – Kim Kyung seeks the Democratic Party’s nomination for a Seoul constituency ahead of the 2022 local elections, a move later tied to the 100 million‑won payment under investigation [1][2].
Sep 2025 – Kim leaves the Democratic Party after accusations that she mass‑recruited followers of a religious group to support a candidate in the upcoming local elections, adding political tension to the bribery probe [1][2].
Dec 31 2025 – Kim departs South Korea for the United States shortly after a formal complaint is filed, prompting police to place her on an entry‑notification list and consider a travel ban [1][2].
Early Jan 2026 – Kim is spotted at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, raising public scrutiny as she remains abroad while the investigation proceeds [1].
Jan 9 2026 – In a police statement, Kim admits handing 100 million won to Rep. Kang Sun‑woo’s aide to secure her 2022 nomination, then claims she retrieved the money, confirming the core allegation of the bribery case [1][2].
Jan 9 2026 – Police announce plans to impose a travel ban and question Kim upon her return, while the opposition People Power Party prepares a disciplinary motion that could expel her from the Seoul Metropolitan Council, with a decision expected by next month [1][2].