▲ Kim Seung-won, nominee for Minister of Justice, drinks water during a confirmation hearing held by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly on the 15th.
Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, addressed suspicions regarding lobbying for COVID-19 clinical trial approval today (the 15th), stating, "I have some regrets about whether I trusted too much the claim that the drug could be supplied for around 100,000 won."
Nominee Kim made the remarks during the National Assembly confirmation hearing when Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Han-gyu asked, "If you could go back to that time, is there any part you wish you had handled differently?"
Regarding the COVID-19 treatment by Genencell, a pharmaceutical company implicated in the alleged solicitation, Nominee Kim said, "Foreign treatments cost 700,000 to 800,000 won on the market, but I was told this drug could be supplied in the 100,000-won range."
He added, "I do think it would have been better if I had given work instructions through my aides," explaining, "At the time, the entire national capacity was mobilized to focus on developing COVID-19 treatments and vaccines, and there was also a sense of urgency."
When People Power Party lawmaker Kim Min-jeon pointed out the controversy surrounding Genencell's animal testing manipulation, Nominee Kim explained, "I majored in the humanities. I cannot know the efficacy or performance of treatments."
He continued, "If I had known that, I wouldn't be in this seat today. I would be facing an arrest warrant or standing trial," emphasizing, "Because all investigations confirm I had zero involvement, the Yoon Suk Yeol prosecution wrote a non-indictment decision stating there was no illegal solicitation and that procedures at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety were conducted fairly."
People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun criticized Nominee Kim, saying, "When others do it, it's solicitation, but when you do it, it's relaying civil petitions?" He added, "Fundamentally, I define this not as relaying public-interest petitions, but that the nominee was so naive and kind-hearted that he was exploited for private lobbying."
He further pointed out, "Without professional expertise, the nominee was blinded by relationships where they called each other 'oppa' or 'hyung-ah' and was purely exploited to help broker Mr. Yang make hundreds of billions of won."
Nominee Kim stated that if he becomes Minister of Justice, he will meet with the victims of Genencell-related stock manipulation first.
When lawmaker Yoon pointed out, "Not knowing about stock manipulation is not proof of innocence, but proof of being unfit as a minister candidate," Nominee Kim responded, "While I cannot 100% agree with the lawmaker's opinion, I recognize that an official's actions can cause major repercussions, so I will act with greater caution."
Nominee Kim stated, "If I become minister, I will meet with those who suffered losses from stock manipulation first, carefully examine the suffering they endured and the root causes of that pain, look into whether investigations are needed for those responsible, and examine what is necessary for damage recovery."
He also added, "If there had been illegalities under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, I could not be in this position and would likely be under arrest or on trial, so I ask for your understanding regarding the fact that this was not the case."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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