From 'Oppa' to 'Humanities Major' Remark: Solicitation Allegations Prompt Resignation

[Anchor]

A decisive factor behind lawmaker Kim Seung-won's resignation was his failure to shift public sentiment regarding allegations of improper solicitation toward the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Beginning with the so-called "'oppa' solicitation suspicion" and extending to his defense that he "could not know because he was a humanities major," controversy continued even after his confirmation hearing.

Reporter Son Hyeong-an has the details.

[Reporter]

After being nominated as Minister of Justice candidate on August 30, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Seung-won dismissed allegations of improper solicitation involving the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) as merely "relaying a public interest grievance petition."

[Kim Seung-won / Democratic Party Lawmaker (September 7): "I have never made an illicit solicitation to the MFDS, nor was the MFDS review conducted unfairly as a result..."]

He explained his relationship with Yang Su-jin, who is implicated in the solicitation allegations, as follows:

[Kim Seung-won / Democratic Party Lawmaker (September 7): "It is true that I have respected her as a successful businesswoman and spent time with her as a close junior acquaintance."]

The Democratic Party actively defended Kim and attempted to shift the momentum, arguing that independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, who leveled daily allegations, should be punished for leaking investigative records.

[Kim Min-seok / Democratic Party Leader (September 11): "The more we observe candidate Kim Seung-won, the more we judge him to be a well-chosen appointment."]

However, audio recordings surfaced in which Yang referred to Kim as "oppa," followed by a photograph showing Kim and Yang together with a judge surnamed Jeong, who had rejected an arrest warrant for Kang Se-chan, the founder of COVID-19 treatment developer Genencell. Furthermore, despite Kim's explanation that he had not met them since 2022, a 2023 photograph taken with Yang also emerged.

During the confirmation hearing on September 15, lawmakers pointed out that the fabrication of Genencell's animal test results had already been confirmed by Kang's first-instance court ruling.

[Kim Seung-won / Democratic Party Lawmaker (September 15): "Lawmaker, I was a humanities major. Regarding the efficacy of that treatment or such matters (Can humanities majors not even read court rulings?), I have no way of knowing."]

A series of assessments followed that his response only fueled public backlash rather than resolving suspicions.

Civic groups classified as progressive, including the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, also released evaluations deeming him unfit for the post of Justice Minister, stating, "There is strong suspicion of improper solicitation rather than the simple forwarding of a public interest grievance."

Meanwhile, addressing media reports that a petition containing additional allegations against Kim from his former aides was delivered to the presidential office on September 17, the presidential office stated that it is difficult to confirm personnel-related matters. Kim's side issued a statement saying, "The reported rumors regarding the petition are different from the facts, exaggerated, or contain errors."

Video by Shin Dong-hwan | Video Editing by Won Hyeong-hui
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.