Kim Seungwon Faces Series of Complaints Over "New Drug Lobbying" Allegations... Police Reinvestigation in Focus

Civic Group Files Complaint Alleging Violations of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act and Abuse of Authority
Suspension of Indictment by Prosecutors in 2024... Police to Review Legal Grounds Before Deciding on Investigation

Civic groups have continued to file complaints regarding the so-called "new drug lobbying" allegations involving Kim Seungwon, nominee for Minister of Justice.

Kim Seungwon, nominee for Minister of Justice, is seen heading to the hearing preparation office set up at Jeokseon Hyundai Building in Jongno-gu on the 3rd, addressing the press with his determination. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to police and other authorities on September 6, the Civic Solidarity for the People’s Livelihood Committee filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on September 4 against Kim, accusing him of violating the Political Funds Act, abuse of authority, violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, and bribery for favors, among other charges.

The committee requested an investigation into suspicions that in 2021, Kim received a lobbying request through a broker named Yang from Kang, then CEO of Genencell, a COVID-19 treatment firm, and subsequently asked Kim Kanglip, head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety at the time, to quickly approve clinical trials for Genencell’s treatment.

The committee further claimed that Kim’s request for Kim Kanglip to “take special care” in approving Genencell’s clinical trials constituted an abuse of authority. They also argued that a reinvestigation is warranted into allegations that Kim promised to receive sponsorship money in exchange for brokering a clinical trial-related favor to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

Previously, former Seoul City Council member Lee Jongbae also filed a police complaint, accusing both Kim and Kim Kanglip of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, abuse of authority, and dereliction of duty.

The new drug lobbying allegation involving Kim was previously subject to a suspension of indictment by prosecutors in December 2024.

A suspension of indictment means the alleged facts are acknowledged, but the prosecutor decides not to refer the case to trial in consideration of circumstances and the severity of the alleged offense. Since this is not a final court decision, investigative authorities may reopen the investigation.

Based on the complaints received, the police plan to conduct legal reviews and question complainants before deciding whether to launch a formal investigation.

Kim’s side stated regarding the allegations, “During the COVID-19 pandemic, we merely requested that domestic small- and medium-sized enterprises not suffer unfair delays in clinical trial procedures,” and added, “We did not call for treatment approval, priority review, easing of standards, or any omission of procedures.”

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