Police Summon Bithumb Officials Over Alleged Tailored Job Posting for Lawmaker's Son

Police have summoned two Bithumb officials for questioning over allegations the cryptocurrency exchange rigged a job posting to hire the son of independent lawmaker Kim Byung-kee.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit brought in an executive identified only as A, from Bithumb's Policy Cooperation Office, as a suspect on bribery-related charges on 9 April, according to police and other sources cited on 16 April. Investigators reportedly focused on how A, who handled government relations rather than recruitment, came to hold the résumé of the lawmaker's second son. It was A's first appearance as a suspect. A day earlier, on 8 April, the director of Bithumb's data marketing team, identified as Kim, was questioned on the same allegation.

Police suspect Bithumb effectively designed a vacancy to match the son's background. In late November 2024, the exchange posted a data analysis intern role with "mathematics major" and "financial industry internship experience" listed as preferred qualifications. The lawmaker's second son majored in mathematics at a U.S. university and had previously interned in the risk management department of a life insurance company. He joined Bithumb in the position in January the following year and stayed for about six months.

Separately, investigators are looking into whether Kim carried out legislative work favorable to Bithumb in exchange for his son's employment. In February 2025, after his son joined the company, Kim raised concerns at a National Assembly National Policy Committee meeting about a "certain exchange's" monopoly; the remarks were widely interpreted as targeting Bithumb rival Dunamu.

The Bithumb recruitment matter is part of a broader probe into 13 cases involving Kim. Other allegations include receipt of nomination funds, preferential treatment in his second son's transfer admission to Soongsil University, and claims he sought personnel disadvantages against a former aide over Coupang. Police have largely completed fact-checking on the remaining allegations and are reviewing legal principles and possible dispositions, according to the report. Observers say a comprehensive decision could come once the Bithumb recruitment investigation concludes.

National Office of Investigation chief Hong Seok-ki said on 6 April: "There are 13 cases [involving Rep. Kim], and the remaining matters that need further checking also seem to be wrapping up. It seems the situation has come where we can make a judgment on all of them."