Kim Hyung-shik (Korean김형식, 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 Hyung-shik
김형식
Member of the Seoul Metropolitan Council
In office
1 July 2010 – 19 August 2015
ConstituencyGangseo 2nd
Succeeded byKim Kyung-ja
Personal details
Born (1970-01-19) 19 January 1970 (age 54)
Seocheon, South Chungcheong, South Korea
CitizenshipSouth Korean
Political partyIndependent
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 materHanshin University
OccupationActivist, politician

Career edit

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 edit

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]

Personal life edit

Kim has an elder brother, who is a prosecutor and lawyer.[17] It was reported that he was also involved in several crimes, including kidnapping a businessman.[17] In 2007, he was sentenced 4 years of imprisonment for kidnapping owners (father-son relations) of a golf course.[17]

Election results edit

Local elections edit

Year Constituency Political party Votes (%) Remarks
2006 Gangseo 1st Uri 14,485 (28.28%) Defeated
2010 Gangseo 2nd Democratic 33,649 (56.28%) Won
2014 Gangseo 2nd NPAD 36,336 (54.15%) Won

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "김형식 사건, 486 정치인 도덕성에 또 흠집되나". 1 July 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e ""김형식 뒤에 누군가 있는 것 같다"". 10 July 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  3. ^ "김형식은 노무현 캠프-박원순 캠프 멤버". 2 July 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  4. ^ "mast제235회 2차 김형식의원 시정질문1". 17 April 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  5. ^ "김형식 서울시의원, 반바지 차림 의정활동 눈길". 8 July 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  6. ^ "반바지 입고 시정질문... '쿨비즈' vs '품위훼손'". 8 July 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  7. ^ "공교육살리기시민연합, "김형식 살인교사 사건의 전말, 법조마피아가 가담했다"". 11 July 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  8. ^ a b "[취재파일] 3천억 자산가 피살 사건…현장에 처음 간 기자가 본 당시 모습". 4 July 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  9. ^ a b c d e "<무기징역 선고된 김형식 '재력가 살인교사' 사건은>". 27 October 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  10. ^ a b "'청부살인 연루' 김형식 서울시의원, 새정치민주연합 탈당". 27 June 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "서울시의원, 60대 재력가 청부 살해 뒤 재선". 29 June 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  12. ^ "재력가 청부살인 혐의 김형식, 무기징역 선고". 28 October 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  13. ^ a b "'재력가 청부살해' 김형식, 2심에서도 무기징역". 30 April 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  14. ^ "'재력가 청부살해' 김형식 서울시의원 무기징역 확정(종합2보)". 19 August 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  15. ^ "더민주, 재보선 원인제공지역도 공천…"혁신안 위배"". 19 February 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  16. ^ "4.13보궐선거 서울시의원 3명 당선". 20 April 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  17. ^ a b c "살인교사 김형식 친형의 엽기 범죄...검사 출신이 '충격'". 2 July 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2020.

External links edit