Kim Seung-won denies illegal COVID-19 drug lobbying allegations

Kim Seung-won Justice Minister nominee clinical trial lobbying confirmation hearing Han Dong-hoon

Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Justice Minister, is facing intense scrutiny regarding allegations of illegal lobbying for COVID-19 clinical trial approvals in 2021. The controversy centers on his relationship with broker Yang Su-jin and whether he pressured the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to expedite approvals for the company Genencell.

Kim has denied all allegations of unlawful solicitation, maintaining that his contact with the ministry was a legitimate attempt to ensure the fair and rapid processing of a domestic treatment during the pandemic. He noted that prosecutors previously issued a suspension of indictment rather than formal charges, as they found no definitive evidence of illegal solicitation or bribery.

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon has escalated the accusations, releasing recordings and messages that suggest a broader network of political involvement, which he termed the ‘Democratic Party Oppas Gate.’ Han has called for a special prosecutor investigation and requested to serve as a witness at the upcoming confirmation hearing.

In addition to the lobbying claims, Kim is facing questions regarding his family's employment at a disability care center, which critics allege involved preferential salary payments. Kim defended the arrangement, stating his family members performed actual work for reasonable wages. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has assigned the case to the Yeongdeungpo Police Station for re-investigation.

Entities

Genencell · Han Dong-hoon · Kim Seung-won · Ministry of Food and Drug Safety · Ministry of Justice · National Assembly · Song Young-gil · Yang Su-jin

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] The founder of Genencell denied contacting Kim Seung-won or promising political donations.
[● 4 SOURCES] Han Dong-hoon has called for Kim's disqualification, labeling the situation a 'Democratic Party brothers gate'. www.incheonilbo.com · www.joongboo.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Kim Seung-won has requested that Han Dong-hoon and the relevant prosecutors appear as witnesses at the confirmation hearing. www.joongboo.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Song Young-gil accused Han Dong-hoon of attempting to defame him by selectively releasing parts of a conversation. www.incheonilbo.com
[● 6 SOURCES] Kim Seung-won denied making improper solicitations to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety regarding COVID-19 drug clinical trials. www.joongboo.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is assigning the case involving allegations of improper solicitation to begin a review for re-investigation.
[● 4 SOURCES] The prosecution previously issued a suspension of indictment, noting that while the facts were recognized, the solicitation was not necessarily illegal.
[● 3 SOURCES] Kim admitted that he should have exercised more caution when relaying the civil petition regarding the clinical trial. www.joongboo.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Rep. Song Young-gil denied allegations of corruption mentioned in leaked messages and accused Han Dong-hoon of political maneuvering and defamation. www.incheonilbo.com
[● 7 SOURCES] The prosecution previously issued a suspension of indictment, noting that while facts were recognized, the solicitation was not clearly illegal and no bribes were received. www.joongboo.com · www.koreaherald.com · www.kyeonggi.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Kim Seung-won announced he would request Han Dong-hoon and the prosecutors involved in his previous case to appear as witnesses at the confirmation hearing. www.joongboo.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Kim Seung-won addressed allegations regarding family salaries at a disability care center, stating his family members performed actual work for reasonable monthly wages. www.joongboo.com · www.imaeil.com