Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, acknowledged on September 7 that he has been close to Yang, who is embroiled in allegations of soliciting approval for a COVID-19 treatment clinical trial. This statement effectively revises his previous claim that he had only 'accidentally met' Yang. He did not provide specific explanations regarding the recorded conversation in which he referred to Judge Jeong Mo as 'my buddy' or the allegations that complaints were relayed to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
Speaking to reporters as he arrived at the confirmation hearing preparation office in Jongno, Seoul, Kim said he first met Yang at a restaurant and café frequented by legal professionals. He noted that they had little interaction until he took on a case involving a violation of labor standards.
Kim described Yang as a successful businesswoman who produces and sells women's products and is pursuing a master's and doctoral degree at Kyung Hee University, stating, 'It is true that we have been close.' He explained that his previous statement was not communicated effectively due to family health issues.
Earlier, lawmaker Han Dong-hoon released a recording of a phone call from October 14, 2021, in which Kim referred to Judge Jeong as 'my buddy.' Judge Jeong had previously dismissed an arrest warrant for a Genensel official. Kim stated, 'I do not know the internal circumstances well, but I believe it was handled appropriately according to the law and procedures,' adding that he would explain to the public after reviewing the matter. He did not clarify his relationship with Judge Jeong or the context of his recorded remarks.
Kim categorically denied the allegations that he solicited clinical trial approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. He asserted, 'I have never made any improper requests to the Ministry, nor has the review been conducted unfairly,' while acknowledging that he should have been more cautious during the complaint process.
He claimed that he only communicated concerns about delays in the development process of a domestic small pharmaceutical company's COVID-19 treatment, stating, 'I called the Minister to request fair and prompt handling,' and emphasized that his communication was limited to a single phone call and a text message on the same day. He added that he had no prior acquaintance with the Minister and maintained a neutral and formal tone in conveying the complaint.
Han alleged that after Kim's contact, the then-secretary of the Minister mentioned Kim's text to the relevant department, suggesting that it was a successful lobbying effort. When asked if the complaint might have pressured the responsible staff, Kim did not respond.
Kim also refuted Han's claim that he received a suspension of prosecution due to external pressure, questioning how, as a first-term member of the Democratic Party, he could exert influence over the prosecution during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, which included Minister of Justice Park Sung-jae and Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung.
He demanded that Han appear at the confirmation hearing to take responsibility for his statements, insisting, 'He should come and prove the external pressure.' He also indicated he would request the testimony of prosecutors involved in the decision.
Kim accused Han of conducting a political offensive by leaking investigation materials to the media, stating, 'The leak of investigation materials is indeed subject to criminal punishment,' and called for clarification on how the materials were obtained legally. However, he did not address the allegations regarding a recording in which someone allegedly offered him 20 million won the day after the clinical trial plan was approved, nor the suspicions of stock trading based on undisclosed information.
Regarding allegations that his spouse and children received 330 million won in salaries from a government voucher program for a facility serving individuals with developmental disabilities, Kim countered that these were legitimate earnings for actual work. He remarked, 'They are trying to portray it as a family business,' and expressed a desire for the facility not to be distorted or disparaged. He did not provide a clear stance on the allegations that the facility operated without proper authorization.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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