Seoul: Rep. Kim Byung-kee, an independent who was formerly with the ruling Democratic Party (DP), appeared before police Tuesday for a fourth round of questioning over a set of misconduct allegations. Kim, a former DP floor leader, was questioned by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit in western Seoul, 20 days after his previous session.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the latest questioning focused on allegations that he overlooked suspected money exchanges between Rep. Kang Sun-woo, who recently left the DP amid a scandal, and Seoul city councilor Kim Kyung while serving on the party's candidate nomination committee ahead of the 2022 local elections. Kang, now an independent lawmaker, is accused of receiving 100 million won (US$65,500) from the city councilor in return for securing a nomination.

Rep. Kim also faces separate corruption allegations, including claims that he intervened in his sons' university transfer and employment and accepted expensive hospitality from Coupang Corp. He has denied related allegations.