Kim Seung-won: "No Improper Requests to MFDS... A Classic Case of Prosecution Cabinet Politics"

"Where Did Han Dong-hoon Obtain the Investigation Materials?"
He Must Appear at the Hearing and Provide Proof

Kim Seungwon, the nominee for Minister of Justice, once again stressed that he has never made any improper requests to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in connection with allegations of lobbying for the approval of a COVID-19 treatment clinical trial. He criticized independent lawmaker Han Donghoon, who raised the allegations, stating this was a prime example of 'cabinet politics' by the prosecution.

Kim Seungwon, the nominee for Minister of Justice, arrived at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up at Jeokseon Hyundai Building in Jongno District, Seoul on the 7th, and read a statement regarding the allegations related to him. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On September 7, as he arrived at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up at Jeokseon Hyundai Building in Jongno District, Seoul, Kim told reporters, "I take very seriously that I should have exercised greater caution in the process of conveying civil petitions," reiterating his position.

He said, "I have never engaged in any improper lobbying of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, nor did this result in any unfairness in its review process," adding, "This fact is clearly stated in the prosecutor's decision document."

Responding to lawmaker Han's claims of political pressure influencing the prosecution's decision to suspend indictment, Kim countered, "At the time of the suspension of indictment, the administration was led by President Yoon Suk-yeol and Sim Woojeong was the Prosecutor General. How could a first-term Democratic Party lawmaker exert pressure on the prosecution to obtain a suspension of indictment?"

Regarding the content and method of lawmaker Han's allegations, he said, "This is a typical example of cabinet politics by the prosecution," arguing, "A constitutional appeal was filed last May regarding the suspension of indictment, and the results should be awaited calmly. Instead, Han Donghoon is leaking details of the investigation to the media to wage a political offensive."

He went on to say, "Where did Han obtain the investigation materials? Did he acquire them legitimately?" and added, "This time, Han Donghoon should appear as a witness at the confirmation hearing and be held accountable for his statements."

Kim also firmly denied any involvement in alleged stock price manipulation. He stated, "This is the first time I've even learned that Zennicell is an unlisted company," and explained, "While there has been an investigation into alleged stock price manipulation of these companies dating back to 2023, when Han Donghoon was Minister of Justice, I have never once been summoned over the last three years."

He further emphasized, "I have never heard that there was any investigation into me," and questioned, "If I had actually been involved in stock manipulation, do you think I would have been left alone for three years?"

Meanwhile, regarding reports that he had not been seen in public recently, Kim explained that he had to care for a close family member who suddenly became critically ill last week, requiring urgent treatment in the emergency room and intensive care unit.

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