Kim Seung-won: "No Illegal Solicitation to Ministry of Food and Drug Safety… Where Did Han Dong-hoon Obtain Investigation Files?"

 
Kim Seung-won, nominee for Minister of Justice, stated today (the 7th) regarding allegations of solicitation related to the approval of clinical trials for a COVID-19 treatment, "I take heavily to heart the point that the process of conveying the petition should have been handled with greater caution."

Reiterating that he had never made illegal solicitations to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), he demanded that independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, who raised the suspicions, reveal where he obtained the investigation files and appear at the confirmation hearing to prove his claims.

Nominee Kim made the remarks this morning while meeting with reporters on his way to work at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up in Jeokseon-hyeon-dae Building, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

He explained, "I have never made illegal solicitations to the MFDS, and the Ministry's reviews were not conducted unfairly as a result. That fact is clearly stated in the prosecution's decision document."

Referring to lawmaker Han Dong-hoon's raising of suspicions that political pressure was involved in the prosecution's past suspension of indictment, he countered, "The suspension of indictment took place under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, with Shim Woo-jung as Prosecutor General. How could a first-term Democratic Party lawmaker pressure the prosecution to grant a suspension of indictment?"

Nominee Kim launched an offensive regarding the content and manner of lawmaker Han's allegations, calling them "the epitome of prosecution cabinet politics."

He stated, "We filed a constitutional appeal against the May suspension of indictment last year, and we could simply watch the outcome unfold calmly. Instead, Han Dong-hoon is waging a political offensive by leaking parts of the investigation details to the media. Where did he get the investigation files? Were they acquired legally?"

He added, "This time, Han Dong-hoon must take responsibility for what he said by appearing as a witness at the hearing. I hope he attends the hearing to prove it. I will also request the prosecutors who handled the relevant disposition to appear as witnesses."

He also claimed that some media outlets are distorting reports as if he were involved in stock manipulation.

Nominee Kim conveyed, "I learned for the first time through this opportunity that Genexine is an unlisted company. Although investigations into these companies regarding stock manipulation have been underway since 2023 during the tenure of then-Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon, I have never been summoned even once over the past three years."

He then countered, "I have never even heard that an investigation was conducted against me. If I had been involved in stock manipulation, would they have left me alone for three years?"

Regarding reports that he had not shown himself externally in recent times, he explained that a close family member fell into a critical condition last week, requiring necessary measures in the emergency room and intensive care unit.

Nominee Kim added, "Regarding the various suspicions raised against me, I will first listen carefully, objectively grasp the facts, and explain them in detail to the public. I will humbly reflect on areas where I fall short."

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