Police are looking into whether to assign and reinvestigate the case of nominee for Minister of the Ministry of Justice Kim Seung-won, who was accused over the so-called "lobbying allegation for approval of COVID-19 treatment clinical trials."

Go Beom-seok, chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, said at his first regular press briefing after taking office on the 7th that two complaints related to the allegation had been received, adding, "I think (dividends) will be made today." He also said the police are currently reviewing the possibility of a reinvestigation.

Minister nominee Kim Seung-won of the Ministry of Justice answers reporters' questions about alleged lobbying for a new drug approval as he arrives at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up at Jeokseon Hyundai Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 7th. /Courtesy of News1

The civic group People's Livelihood Countermeasures Committee filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on the 4th, accusing the nominee of violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act and of accepting brokerage, among other charges. Former People Power Party Seoul city council member Lee Jong-bae also filed a complaint the same day, accusing the nominee and former Ministery of Food and Drug Safety Commissioner Kim Gang-lip of abuse of authority, violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act, and dereliction of duty, among other charges.

At issue is an allegation that in 2021 the nominee, through a broker surnamed Yang, accepted a request from a person surnamed Kang, the head of the COVID-19 treatment developer Genencell, and asked the then Ministery of Food and Drug Safety commissioner to swiftly approve clinical trials for the treatment.

In Dec. 2024, prosecutors suspended indictment for the nominee in connection with the case. The key question is whether police can investigate it again.

Minister nominee Yong Hye-in of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family arrives at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up at the Korea Youth Work Agency (KYWA) in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the 7th. /Courtesy of News1

Nominee for Minister of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Yong Hye-in also had five complaints filed alleging violations of the Political Funds Act and abuse of authority, among other charges. Chief Go said that case, too, "will likely be assigned with dividends right away."

Yong was accused of spending political funds on the salary of her husband and party staffer, Park Gi-hong, and of improperly using an airport VIP lounge with family, among other allegations.

Regarding the case of independent lawmaker Kim Byung-kee, who faces 13 allegations of misconduct, Chief Go said, "The investigation according to procedure seems almost finished," adding, "You can consider it in the wrapping-up stage."

Earlier, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Police Investigation Deliberation Committee ordered the case to be handled within one month, and it is expected this deadline will not be exceeded.

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