PSPD Urges Thorough Explanation from Justice Minister Nominee Kim Seungwon over 'Lobbying Allegations'

If the Prosecution's Disposition Was Not Unjust,
It Could Disqualify Him From Serving as Minister
Further Review and Verification of Materials Needed

People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD), a progressive civic group, has called for a thorough explanation from Kim Seungwon, the Minister of Justice nominee, regarding his suspension of indictment over allegations of brokering approval for a certain company's COVID-19 therapeutic clinical trial.

On September 3, the PSPD's Center for Government Watch issued a statement titled "A Thorough Explanation Is Needed Regarding the Alleged Solicitation by Nominee Kim Seungwon," stating, "It has come to light that the recently nominated Minister of Justice Kim Seungwon received a suspension of indictment at the end of 2024 on charges of taking a bribe for influence peddling in relation to requests for new drug clinical trial approvals."

On the 31st of last month, Kim Seungwon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea nominated as the Minister of Justice candidate, is attending the Legislative and Judiciary Committee Bill Review Subcommittee 1 held at the National Assembly. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

The PSPD pointed out, "The new Minister of Justice is tasked with the grave responsibility of establishing a new criminal justice system ahead of the opening of the Public Prosecution Service and the Serious Crimes Office in October, and will go on to supervise these institutions. Although a suspension of indictment is not a guilty verdict by the court, since it is a disposition made by prosecutors under the Minister of Justice’s supervision, unless the disposition was unjust, it could constitute grounds for disqualification from serving as Minister."

The statement continued, "On the other hand, the nominee claims that his actions were legitimate legislative activities, and that he has filed a constitutional complaint challenging the suspension of indictment as unfair, arguing that the prosecution's decision was the result of a 'targeted investigation.' Given the gravity of the issue, a thorough explanation and verification are required."

The PSPD further explained, "Generally, a suspension of indictment means that the charges are recognized but prosecution is withheld for various reasons. The details reported in articles concerning lobbying for new drug approval are very specific. In 2021, Kim Seungwon received a request to help expedite the clinical trial approval for a COVID-19 therapeutic. He then sent a related text message to then-Minister of Food and Drug Safety Kim Gang-lip, who was responsible at the time. Later, it was revealed that the pharmaceutical company tried to make a political donation, but the political donation account was full and the funds were not delivered."

"In response, nominee Kim Seungwon explained that 'the transmission of the complaint was legitimate legislative work for the public interest and does not constitute unlawful solicitation. The officials at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety who received the complaint were cleared of all charges, and there were no violations of law or procedure found during the approval process. Additionally, the person who requested assistance was acquitted of both unlawful solicitation and brokering charges.' He also said, 'In May of last year, I filed a constitutional complaint challenging the prosecution’s suspension of indictment.' However, since these allegations involve a Minister of Justice nominee, there has already been a prosecutorial disposition, and related trials are ongoing. Therefore, additional review and verification of materials are necessary. Kim must provide sufficient and detailed explanations during the confirmation hearing process,” the PSPD stressed.

According to independent lawmaker Han Donghun, in October 2021, nominee Kim Seungwon received a request from a personal acquaintance, Yang, who operated entertainment bars and asked for help in expediting the clinical trial approval of a COVID-19 therapeutic developed by a pharmaceutical company run by Professor Kang. Kim then called and sent a text message to then-Minister of Food and Drug Safety Kim Gang-lip, requesting swift processing of the approval.

The company ultimately received clinical trial approval. However, it was later discovered that Kang had submitted documents omitting some unfavorable details, and in December 2024, Kang was sentenced by the Seoul Western District Court to three years in prison, suspended for five years.

At the time, nominee Kim also became the subject of an investigation, but the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office granted him a suspension of indictment, acknowledging the charges but electing not to prosecute in consideration of various circumstances.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.