Kim Hyung-shik
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Kim Hyung-shik | |
|---|---|
김형식 | |
| Member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council | |
| In office 1 July 2010 – 19 August 2015 | |
| Constituency | Gangseo 2nd |
| Succeeded by | Kim Kyung-ja |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 January 1970 Seocheon, South Chungcheong, South Korea |
| Party | Independent |
| Other political affiliations | Uri Party (2003–2007) United New Democratic Party (2007–2008) United Democratic Party (2008) Democratic Party (2008–2011) Democratic Unionist Party (2011–2013) Democratic Party (2013–2014) New Politics Alliance for Democracy (2014) |
| Alma mater | Hanshin University |
| Occupation | Activist, politician |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 김형식 |
| RR | Gim Hyeongsik |
| MR | Kim Hyŏngsik |
Kim Hyung-shik (Korean: 김형식, born 19 January 1970) is a South Korean activist, politician and criminal. He was a member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council for Gangseo 2nd constituency from 2010 to 2015. In 2014, he was arrested for aiding and abetting a murder.
Kim earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy at Hanshin University, where he was the President of its Student Council.[1][2] As a notable 386 activist, he served as an aide for a former MP Shin Ki-nam,[1] as well as a deputy spokesman of the Uri Party.[2] At the 2006 local elections, he ran as a member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council for Gangseo 1st constituency but lost.[2] In 2010, he changed from 1st to 2nd constituency and was elected.[1][2]
Kim used to help Roh Moo-hyun at the 2002 presidential election[1][2] and also Park Won-soon at the 2011 by-election.[3] After Park was elected as the Mayor of Seoul, Kim harshly criticised Park, though both were at the same party.[4] Kim also became sensation when he attended with short pants into the council building.[5][6]
Murder case
On 3 March 2014, Song Seung-ho,[7] a businessman was found dead at his own building in Naebalsan-dong, Seoul.[8] Shortly after this, Paeng Yong-chan, who escaped to China, was suspected by police.[9] After wanted by Interpol, Paeng was repatriated to South Korea and was subsequently arrested.[9] On the other hand, during the investigation, Paeng explained that his murder was ordered by Kim Hyung-shik.[8]
On 24 June, Kim was arrested by police, shortly after his re-election under the New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) banner.[10] The next day, he immediately quit from the NPAD.[10]
Hankook Ilbo reported that Kim borrowed around 500 million won (≒ 500 thousand USD) from Song between 2010 and 2011.[11] When Kim refused to pay it back, Song threatened Kim to do so; otherwise Song would make Kim to lose in 2014.[11] The media also added that Kim was afraid of it and decided to kill Song.[11] Kim planned to use his long-time friend, Paeng, to launch his own "decision", but when Paeng was keep refusing, Kim gave a final warning to Paeng on 27 February and finally, Paeng killed Song.[11]
The media also explained that Kim urged Paeng to commit suicide and Paeng also unsuccessfully tried his 4 attempts at lock-up.[11] Nevertheless, Kim denied all of these[11][9] and later, he kept silent.[9]
On 27 October, Kim was sentenced to life imprisonment and 25 years for Paeng at the first trial.[9][12] Kim subsequently lodged an appeal, but at the second trial, he was again sentenced to life in prison, compared to Paeng whose imprisonment was reduced to 20 years.[13] "Please don't! I didn't do it!" he wailed and was forced to be brought out to the court.[13] On 19 August 2015, at the final trial, the Supreme Court confirmed life imprisonment to Kim and his election as a Seoul Metropolitan Council member was officially annulled.[14]
The invalidity of his election caused a by-election, held along with the general election. The Democratic Party of Korea (successor of the NPAD) decided to not put a candidate on responsibility of the case.[15] In the end, Kim Kyung-ja of the People's Party (splinter of the NPAD) was elected.[16]