Kim Seung-won's Camp Rebuts Report on Petition to Cheong Wa Dae: "Untrue or Exaggerated"

The camp of Representative Kim Seung-won of the Democratic Party, who stepped down as the nominee for Minister of Justice, rebutted media reports today (September 19) alleging that a petition outlining additional suspicions had been delivered to Cheong Wa Dae, stating, "The rumors (in the petition) are untrue or contain exaggerations and errors."

Representative Kim's office said in a statement on the same day, "We have received no contact from Cheong Wa Dae regarding the contents of the petition, nor do we even know whether it was submitted."

A media outlet reported earlier in the day, after Kim held his press conference to withdraw his nomination, that "a petition from former aides urging the withdrawal of Kim's nomination for Justice Minister was delivered to Cheong Wa Dae."

According to the report, the petition allegedly contained past sexual harassment allegations involving Kim and his aides' cover-up process, additional drunk driving allegations, habitual profanity and verbal abuse against aides while intoxicated, and further solicitation allegations aside from the "new drug lobbying suspicion."

The office added, "Regarding the above rumors related to the background of the nominee's resignation, an aide who was working at the time has made it clear that they are untrue," and stated, "We will take necessary measures after verifying the exact facts regarding the background and content of the reporting."

Regarding online images showing Kim alongside a broker tied to suspicions of illicit solicitation for new drug clinical trial approvals, the office also stated, "Malicious AI-generated composite materials, as well as false and distorted information regarding Representative Kim, are being circulated," adding, "Our office will track down the original creators and distributors to the end and take strong legal action."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.