Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon released a phone call recording in which broker Yang Su-jin, involved in a request-for-favor case to secure approval for a new drug clinical trial with Minister of Justice nominee Kim Seung-won, discussed a meeting with Presiding Judge Jeong, who handled the case's warrant. Han said the nominee's side was wrong to describe the relationship with Judge Jeong as "happened to meet once by chance."
Han posted on Facebook on Oct. 6 the recording of a phone call on Oct. 14, 2021, between the nominee and Yang.
In the recording, the nominee mentioned Presiding Judge Jeong and said, "A close buddy of mine." The nominee then said he was heading to a drinking gathering in Yeouido where Judge Jeong was and asked Yang if Yang would join. Yang asked, "Can I go?" and the nominee replied, "I'll go and check the situation first."
The nominee also said Judge Jeong was drunk, adding, "When that person gets too drunk, sometimes there are lapses in manners, you know." Yang said a designated driver had been booked and asked the nominee to get in touch afterward.
Citing this call, Han argued that the nominee, Yang, and Judge Jeong did not just happen to meet once, and said the nominee's explanation of "happened to meet once by chance" was "a lie and an intentional downplaying."
In Oct. 2021, while serving as a judge, the nominee was investigated on suspicion of asking then-Ministery of Food and Drug Safety Commissioner Kim Gang-lip to approve a clinical trial for a COVID-19 treatment at Yang's request. Prosecutors found there was no direct exchange of money and that it was hard to deem the request clearly unlawful, and in Dec. 2024 suspended indictment of the nominee.
Meanwhile, Han also pushed back against the Democratic Party raising issues with how the recording was obtained. Han said, "There are still many people of conscience who come forward for the public interest."