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Kim Seung-won faces scrutiny over COVID-19 trial lobbying allegations
Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, is facing intense scrutiny regarding allegations of lobbying for the rapid approval of COVID-19 clinical trials in 2021. The controversy centers on text messages Kim sent to the then-Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) requesting expedited processing for a company called Genencell.
Kim maintains that his actions were not illegal solicitation but rather the legitimate delivery of a public interest grievance to assist a domestic company. He noted that the prosecution previously issued a suspension of indictment in December 2024, a decision he has challenged through a constitutional petition, claiming the legal basis was unjust.
Opposition lawmakers, including Han Dong-hoon, have criticized the nominee, suggesting he should face a special investigation rather than a confirmation hearing. Critics have also raised concerns regarding Kim's close relationship with a broker and allegations involving a judge who presided over a related arrest warrant dismissal.
Separately, President Lee Jae-myung has called for a comprehensive review and reform of the police system following recent incidents of perceived investigative failures, emphasizing the need for internal self-purification and a system that meets public expectations.
Entities
Han Dong-hoon · Kim Seung-won · Lee Jae-myung · Ministry of Food and Drug Safety · Ministry of Justice · National Police Agency · Republic of Korea · South Korea
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Kim Seung-won expressed his intent to resolve the perceived unfairness of his previous suspension of indictment through a constitutional appeal. www.newstomato.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Kim Seung-won pledged to ensure the stable settlement of the new criminal justice system being implemented after 70 years. www.newstomato.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] Kim Seung-won stated he does not intend to use his authority to direct the cancellation of President Lee Jae-myung's prosecution. www.newstomato.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Kim Seung-won claims the prosecution's decision to issue a suspension of indictment regarding the MFDS lobbying allegations was unjust. www.newstomato.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Kim's preparation team clarified that his actions regarding the COVID-19 treatment clinical trial were for delivering public interest grievances, not lobbying for permission. www.newstomato.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Han Dong-hoon criticized Kim, stating he should face a special investigation regarding drug lobbying instead of a confirmation hearing. www.hani.co.kr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Han Dong-hoon alleged that Kim Seung-won forwarded a solicitation text message from a broker directly to the former Commissioner of the MFDS. www.hani.co.kr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Kim Seung-won stated he lacks direct authority to withdraw indictments and does not intend to exercise investigative direction over the Prosecutor General. www.newstomato.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Kim Seung-won expressed his intention to respect the authority of prosecutors regarding the maintenance of trials.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Kim Seung-won filed a constitutional petition challenging the legal basis of his suspension of indictment. www.newstomato.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office issued a suspension of indictment for Kim Seung-won in December 2024. www.hani.co.kr
- [● 4 SOURCES] Kim Seung-won claims his communication regarding COVID-19 drug clinical trials was a legitimate delivery of a public grievance rather than an illegal solicitation.