April 2022 – A secretly recorded conversation captures Rep. Kang Sun‑woo discussing a 100 million‑won payment with DP nominee‑committee secretary Kim Byung‑kee, later cited as evidence of a “nomination‑for‑pay” scheme tied to the 2022 local elections[26].

March 2020 – An alleged 10 million‑won cash delivery to Rep. Kim Byung‑kee is reported by a former Dongjak‑ward councilor, who claims the money was offered for a 2020 parliamentary‑nomination favor and later returned[17].

2022 local elections – Multiple investigations later allege that Seoul councilor Kim Kyung hands 100 million won to an aide of Rep. Kang Sun‑woo in exchange for the Democratic Party’s nomination for a council seat, a central charge in the unfolding bribery scandal[15].

Dec 31 2025 – Councilor Kim Kyung departs for the United States, admits she handed 100 million won to Kang’s aide and later retrieved it, prompting police to place her on an entry‑notification list and consider a travel ban[15].

Jan 1 2026 – Rep. Kang Sun‑woo quits the Democratic Party amid the bribery allegations; the DP expels her hours later and she pledges full cooperation with the investigation, while an audio recording of her discussion with Kim Byung‑kee fuels public outcry[23].

Jan 2 2026 – The opposition People Power Party demands a special‑counsel investigation, condemning the alleged 100 million‑won nomination payment as a threat to democratic integrity[22].

Jan 5 2026 – Councilor Kim Kyung leaves Korea again, prompting police to seek entry‑notification from prosecutors; the DP expels Kang Sun‑woo and Kim Kyung resigns from the party’s floor leadership, while a civic group files a complaint accusing Rep. Kim Byung‑kee of illegal 30 million‑won political funds from 2020[19][20].

Jan 6 2026 – Police summon a former aide of Rep. Kang Sun‑woo as a suspect in the 100 million‑won bribery case, noting the aide’s denial of knowledge and the ongoing probe into Kang’s role[18].

Jan 8 2026 – Investigators question a former Dongjak‑ward council member about a claimed 10 million‑won delivery to Rep. Kim Byung‑kee in March 2020, linking the allegation to the broader corruption scandal surrounding the DP’s nomination process[17].

Jan 9 2026 – Councilor Kim Kyung tells police she personally gave the 100 million‑won cash to Kang’s aide, stating she “faithfully complies with all investigations, uncovers the truth and receives the legal punishment matching her wrongdoing”[15]; opposition lawmakers prepare a motion that could expel her from the Seoul Metropolitan Council[15].

Jan 11 2026 – Kim Kyung returns from the United States, faces police raids on her office and home, and defends her trip to CES 2026 as a “long‑standing commitment,” while refusing to confirm the payment when questioned[13].

Jan 12 2026 – Police impose travel bans on Kang Sun‑woo, Kim Kyung and aide Nam, seize materials from their residences, and reiterate that the 100 million‑won cash was linked to a council‑nomination bribe[12].

Jan 14 2026 – A raid targets DP lawmaker Kim Byung‑kee’s home, office and Dongjak‑ward council sites, uncovering alleged illegal political funds of 30 million won from two councilors in 2020, a Korean Air voucher, and other corruption claims; the investigation plans to summon him after analyzing seized data[10].

Jan 15 2026 – Police summon Kang Sun‑woo for Tuesday questioning over the alleged 100 million‑won payment, while councilor Kim Kyung undergoes a second interrogation and reiterates that she “personally gave the cash to Kang at a cafe”[8][9].

Jan 17 2026 – Former aide Nam returns for a second police interview; investigators announce they will summon Kang Sun‑woo on the upcoming Tuesday, keeping the focus on the cash handover and its return[6].

Jan 18 2026 – Kim Kyoung and Nam face a third round of questioning; Kim claims she handed the cash to Kang herself and that Nam set the amount, while Nam maintains he moved an “item” into Kang’s trunk without knowing it contained money[5].

Jan 20 2026 – Rep. Kang Sun‑woo appears for police questioning as a suspect in the 100 million‑won bribery case, denying personal receipt of the funds and stating she learned of the aide’s acceptance only later[4].

Jan 22 2026 – Police question Lee, wife of ex‑DP lawmaker Kim Byung‑kee, about alleged receipt of 30 million won in illegal political funds in 2020 and separate misuse of a councilor’s corporate card, while Kim Byung‑kee continues to deny wrongdoing[3].

Jan 26 2026 – Councilor Kim Kyung submits her resignation to the Seoul Metropolitan Council chair, announcing she steps down before the ethics hearing to avoid a possible expulsion vote, and declares she “takes heavy responsibility for having failed to uphold the ethical duties of a public official”[1].

Jan 27 2026 – The Seoul Metropolitan Council’s ethics committee proceeds with its scheduled disciplinary session at 5 p.m., a meeting that would have considered expulsion had Kim Kyung not withdrawn, underscoring the council’s intent to address the scandal despite her resignation[1].