Kim Byung-gi faces mounting ethics allegations

Dec 30, 2025, 08:16 am

Kim Byung-gi, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is facing an escalating ethics crisis as a series of allegations—ranging from luxury hotel sponsorships to the private use of parliamentary aides—continue to surface. Kim said he will present his official position on Dec. 30.

One of the earliest controversies centers on alleged corporate sponsorship. Records indicate that Kim stayed for two nights at a royal suite at a Jeju KAL hotel, valued at 1.648 million won, reportedly provided by Korean Air. Messaging records suggest a secretary inquired about the booking before an airline official delivered an invitation voucher to Kim’s office. Kim apologized, calling the arrangement inappropriate regardless of the circumstances, and said he would return the full accommodation cost.

Another allegation involves a so-called “imperial lunch” held shortly before a parliamentary audit with executives from Coupang. The meal was reportedly worth about 700,000 won. Kim countered that he ordered only a 38,000-won pasta dish and said skeptics could verify details with the restaurant or attendees. However, additional claims emerged that former aides working at Coupang were later dismissed, raising accusations of retaliatory abuse of power.

Kim has also been accused of seeking preferential hiring for his younger son at cryptocurrency exchange Bithumb. According to media reports citing former aides, a job posting aligned with the son’s academic background appeared after Kim met with the company’s leadership, alongside alleged instructions to criticize rival Upbit. Kim’s office denied any job-related requests, saying he merely raised concerns about market monopolization.

Further controversy surrounds Kim’s spouse, who is accused of misusing a corporate credit card issued to a local council vice chair in 2022, allegedly spending about 2.7 million won for personal purposes over two months. A recorded conversation in which the vice chair mentions the amount has been made public, prompting civic groups to file complaints alleging bribery and embezzlement. Kim said the spending was inappropriate but disputed claims of coercion, adding that his wife merely expressed opinions in a local messaging group rather than issuing directives.

Questions have also been raised over the alleged private use of parliamentary aides. One claim suggests that Kim’s eldest son, an employee of the National Intelligence Service, asked aides to check whether Indonesia’s president-elect would visit Hanwha Group, a request reportedly carried out on his behalf. Kim said he was unaware of his son’s duties and denied any wrongdoing. Past allegations related to the son’s recruitment into the intelligence service have resurfaced, though Kim maintains that multiple audits found no issues.

Additional accusations include claims that aides were mobilized to assist his younger son’s transfer to a U.S. university by analyzing admission guidelines and sharing transcripts. Kim dismissed these reports as false, saying his son was hired through open recruitment and that no such assistance was necessary. He also rejected allegations involving airport protocol requests in Vietnam and preferential medical treatment in his district.

Kim is expected to address the controversies publicly on Dec. 30, as political attention focuses on whether he can regain public trust amid the growing scrutiny.

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