Han Dong-hoon Releases Additional Transcripts Over Kim Seung-won's Alleged Unlawful Clinical Trial Lobbying

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon raised questions regarding Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won's alleged unlawful clinical trial lobbying, asking, "Is this resolving a public interest petition?", while releasing additional past transcripts involving an individual known as a broker, surnamed Yang, via Facebook today.

According to the transcripts, Yang said during a phone call with nominee Kim on October 7, 2021, "Oppa, this is regarding the professor I mentioned before. The review application related to the COVID-19 treatment is currently submitted to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS)." Yang added, "Due to a change in the person in charge this time, the results were originally supposed to come out on the 12th or 8th, but it seems to be delayed."

"Oppa" is the term Yang used to address nominee Kim, and "Professor" refers to Kang, the owner of a pharmaceutical manufacturer.

Yang continued, "From what I see, this is a fully structured framework. So it would be really great if Oppa could help with this," explaining, "Because 30 billion won in investment has already been secured here. The funds are also scheduled to come in on October 15."

Yang further added, "Plan A is that I hope Oppa can meet this week or next week if you have time, and Plan B is that I hope you can figure out the status of this review process through the MFDS."

In response, nominee Kim replied, "The moment it gets approved by the MFDS, you can make hundreds of billions of won, right?", adding, "So there is fierce lobbying going on, but since I need to hear the explanation, could you send me the materials by email to save time? Then let's meet up once. I'm a bit busy because it's the parliamentary audit season, but we can meet in Seoul."

In a transcript dated September 14, 2021, revealed by lawmaker Han the previous day, Yang explained, "Oppa, Professor Kang is currently undergoing Phase 3 COVID-19 trials unofficially. The professor says the data turned out so well and only the protocol is an issue."

Yang then mentioned, "What I want to say to Oppa is that you have an election coming up, Oppa. Our professor is the largest shareholder. Now that company is becoming a COVID-19 treatment company," adding, "Once this is monetized, it will also be good for Oppa's election next year."

Nominee Kim responded, "Then shall we meet right after Chuseok? I'll send you the dates."

Meanwhile, lawmaker Han also released details of what appears to be a "sentencing plan report" drafted by the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office after summoning and investigating nominee Kim on charges of arranged bribery in August 2024.

Lawmaker Han claimed that although the prosecution originally planned to seek an "8-month prison sentence" for nominee Kim, the sentencing was not carried out for certain reasons.

The report explicitly stated that considering factors such as the gravity of the wrongdoing—where Kang obtained massive illegal profits worth 11 billion won and Yang worth 600 million won triggered by nominee Kim's arrangement and promise of bribery, and where clinical trial approval for the pharmaceutical was granted based on fabricated data, causing risks to public health—while the suspect (nominee Kim) denied the crime and showed no remorse, a "demand for an 8-month prison sentence" would be made.

The report also included content stating that "if someone commits the crime of promising arranged bribery related to their duties while in office and is sentenced to imprisonment without prison labor or heavier punishment, it constitutes grounds for automatic dismissal under the National Assembly Act due to the loss of eligibility for election," and that "cases of arranged bribery involving relatively small sums generally result in suspended sentences."

Regarding this, lawmaker Han asked, "The Western District Prosecutors' Office summoned and investigated nominee Kim on charges of arranged bribery in August 2024. Afterwards, the Western District Prosecutors' Office decided to indict nominee Kim, and delivered a document to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the Ministry of Justice stating its plan to indict nominee Kim," adding, "I ask on behalf of the public: Who and why blocked the indictment of Kim Seung-won and the demand for a prison sentence?"

Previously, the prosecution granted nominee Kim a suspension of indictment in December 2024.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.