Korean Lawmaker Accused of Attacking Upbit to Benefit Son at Bithumb

South Korean police are investigating allegations that Kim Byung-kee, a senior lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, abused his parliamentary position to attack cryptocurrency exchange Upbit after his son secured employment at rival platform Bithumb. Kim, a 25-year veteran of the National Intelligence Service who served as its personnel director before entering politics, now faces at least nine separate corruption allegations—several involving claims he leveraged government connections to benefit his family. Son Joins Bithumb, Then Calls to “Shut Down” Upbit According to a local media report, Kim began showing sudden interest in both Dunamu (the operator of Upbit) and Bithumb after being transferred to the National Assembly’s Political Affairs Committee following the April 2024 general election. The aide told investigators Kim met with Dunamu’s CEO multiple times between September and November 2024, bringing his younger son—of two sons—to dinner meetings source: https://beincrypto.com/shut-down-upbit-korean-lawmaker-son-at-bithumb/