Police investigating allegations that Minister nominee Kim Seung-won lobbied for approval of a COVID-19 treatment clinical trial said they will secure and analyze past prosecution investigation records.
A Korean National Police Agency official said at a regular press briefing on the 14th, "A total of two complaints related to nominee Kim have been filed, and the Seoul Yeongdeungpo Police Station is conducting an investigation, including questioning the complainants," adding this explanation. Police plan to comprehensively review what investigations prosecutors conducted in the past and what discussions took place up to the decision to suspend indictment.
Asked whether there was a possibility of questioning prosecutors who handled the past case, the Korean National Police Agency official said, "It is still early, so it is not the stage to determine the scope of the investigation."
Police also summoned and questioned Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Dong-a as a complainant after he filed a complaint alleging that independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon leaked investigation materials related to nominee Kim the previous day. This has prompted speculation that police could summon Han as well.
The Korean National Police Agency official, however, said, "Since the complaint was filed recently, it is difficult to say we have plans to summon a specific person now," adding, "We will proceed according to the necessary procedures."