As the confirmation hearing for Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, approaches, allegations surrounding requests for approval of new drug clinical trials and the hiring of a current judge's son in a legislative office are intensifying. With just 18 days until the Prosecutorial Agency's launch, there are concerns that policy evaluations on key issues, including staffing and the dismissal of charges in the Lee Jae-myung case, may be delayed.
According to legal sources, the National Assembly's Legislative Judiciary Committee will hold Kim's confirmation hearing on September 15. The hearing is expected to rely heavily on Kim's responses and submitted materials, as key witnesses related to the allegations have not been summoned.
The main point of contention is the allegation that Kim sought expedited approval for a clinical trial plan for Genensel's COVID-19 treatment. In 2021, at the request of broker Yang, Kim contacted then-Director Kim Kang-rip of the Food and Drug Safety Agency to expedite the review of the clinical trial plan. The prosecution investigated Kim for alleged bribery promises but decided not to prosecute in December 2024.
Kim's team has countered that they only communicated public interest concerns regarding the COVID-19 treatment development and did not seek any preferential treatment or approval. On his way to work, Kim stated, "I will explain everything clearly to the public during the hearing," deferring specific responses.
The police are currently investigating two recent allegations assigned to the Yeongdeungpo Police Station, including interviews with the complainants. The National Police Agency clarified that this is a new investigation based on recent complaints, not a re-investigation of past cases, and plans to review the prosecution's investigation records to understand the previous decision not to prosecute.
Former Seoul City Council member Lee Jong-bae has additionally reported Kim, along with Genensel founder Kang and broker Yang, for fraudulent transactions under the Capital Markets Act. The allegation is that Kim contacted the Food and Drug Safety Agency knowing the potential impact of the clinical trial approval on Genensel's corporate value and investment attraction. However, a direct link between Kim's contact and investment or stock transactions has not been established.
The circumstances surrounding the hiring of the son of a current judge who denied a warrant for the Genensel founder's arrest as a legislative aide in 2024 are also under scrutiny. Kim's team maintains that while he has maintained a friendship with the judge, there was no collusion or improper solicitation related to the warrant case. The salaries and service provision processes for a social cooperative where Kim's spouse and children work are also contentious, but parents involved in the cooperative have stated that all procedures were followed correctly, countering allegations of favoritism.
A pressing issue is that the Prosecutorial Agency is set to launch on October 2. The government's proposed organizational structure aims to reduce the total staff from 10,706 to 8,412, but this has faced pushback from the ruling party, leading to a revision process. Changes under consideration include renaming the 'Judicial Control Division' to 'Non-Prosecution Case Review Division' and eliminating the Criminal Planning and Major Crime Investigation Planning divisions.
With the organizational structure not yet finalized, staffing, task assignments, and the overhaul of the IT system and training may be delayed. Concerns have also been raised that the agency could launch without a leader, as the nomination committee has not yet been formed.
Kim's past statements advocating for the dismissal of charges in the Lee Jae-myung case are also a point of policy scrutiny. Kim has asserted that the Minister of Justice does not have the authority to direct dismissals and has no intention of doing so, but in written responses to the National Assembly, he stated he would act in accordance with laws and regulations. There are calls for clarity on his stance regarding dismissals, potential conflicts of interest, and operational plans for the Prosecutorial Agency following the abolition of supplementary investigation powers during the upcoming hearing.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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