Rep. Kim Byung-ki to sue former aide for defamation

Rep. Kim Byung-ki, an independent lawmaker under police investigation over misconduct allegations, issued a statement on the 2nd, claiming that false information had been spread and announcing his plan to sue his former aide, identified only by the surname Kim, on defamation charges. Kim's office said, "We express deep regret over the former aide's one-sided spread of false information, and we will take firm legal action against him going forward." The office added that while the former aides had repeatedly spread false information, the lawmaker had refrained from responding because the case was under investigation.

Kim the former aide claimed, "Rep. Kim said before October 2 that since police could not refer the case to prosecutors, he would not face a prosecutorial investigation," adding, "He walked out mid-investigation and returned home, so there are concerns he may flee." He made the remarks while appearing as a witness before the Metropolitan Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency that afternoon.

Kim's office said, "Rep. Kim has appeared before police seven times and cooperated with the investigation to the fullest extent," adding that "his attorney has submitted opinion statements multiple times to police calling for a swift conclusion to the investigation."

Meanwhile, Kim the former aide, the target of the lawsuit, has raised allegations that Rep. Kim illegally obtained and disclosed aides' Telegram conversations, and in December last year he filed a complaint against the lawmaker on charges including violations of the Communications Privacy Act, leaving the two sides suing each other.