Kim Seung-won Claimed He Stopped Meeting Broker After 'Triple Selfie,' But Another Photo Surfaces

[Anchor]

Kim Seung-won, nominee for Minister of Justice, previously stated that he has not met with a businessman known as a broker involved in the alleged Ministry of Food and Drug Safety solicitation since February 2022. However, Kim's explanation has lost credibility after a photo was revealed showing the two attending the same event and taking a picture together the following year.

Reporter Shin Yong-il has more.

[Reporter]

A photo has been released showing three people together: Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, businessman Yang, and Judge Jung.

Taken in February 2022, Judge Jung later handled warrant-dedicated duties at the jurisdiction court in 2024 when Yang was under prosecution investigation.

In response, nominee Kim's side officially explained, "We merely chanced upon Yang and others at a private gathering around February 2022, and have not met or contacted them since."

However, photos contradicting this claim have emerged.

At the commemorative ceremony for the 43rd Suwon City Day of Persons with Disabilities, a photo of nominee Kim and Yang taken together in front of a business operated by Yang was made public.

The photo was taken in late April 2023, a circumstance that contradicts the claim by nominee Kim's side that there had been no meetings since February 2022.

Nominee Kim's side explained that their statement meant they had never contacted or met privately, and that he had attended an event hosted by the local government as a regional district lawmaker.

Nominee Kim did not make an appearance at the office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the personnel hearing preparation team is set up.

Amid continuing suspicions, he stated his position solely through a lengthy press release. First, regarding the fact that he was sentenced to a fine for drunk driving in July 2008 when he worked as a lawyer, he apologized, saying, "I deeply reflect on it."

On the other hand, regarding the alleged Ministry of Food and Drug Safety solicitation, he denied the allegations once again, stating that it was merely "relaying a grievance petition out of concern that clinical trial procedures would be unduly delayed," and that it was for a public interest purpose.

(Video Editing: Lee Seung-jin, Design: Lee Ga-jin, Sooin)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.