Businessman Yang, Suspected in 'Kim Seung-won New Drug Favor' Allegations, Appears in Public for First Time... Silent on Questions

Businessman Yang, who is on trial for his involvement in the alleged "new drug clinical trial approval favor" surrounding Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, has appeared in public for the first time since the allegations surfaced.

Yang arrived at the Seoul Western District Court this afternoon (the 15th), wearing a navy jacket, shorts, and a face mask.

Yang headed into the courtroom without answering questions from reporters, who asked whether he admitted to the charges of illicit solicitation toward nominee Kim, why he called Kim "oppa" (an affectionate term for an older male), and what he thought of nominee Kim's claim that it was a public interest petition rather than a favor.

The day before the trial, Yang requested police protection from the court and attended the session under the escort of court security management personnel.

Kang, the founder of Genencell who was indicted alongside Yang, also attended the court.

Kang entered the courtroom without giving any specific answers to questions asking why he tried to send 5 million won, whether there were other ways compensation was delivered after failing to wire the money, and whether his stance that he had never met nominee Kim remained unchanged.

Judge Sung Jun-kyu of Criminal Division 10 at the Seoul Western District Court is holding the trial this afternoon at 4:30 PM for the charges of promise of bribery against Yang and Kang.

The two are accused of asking the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for swift processing—through then-lawmaker Kim—during the process of gaining approval for the clinical trial plan of a COVID-19 treatment being developed by Genencell, and subsequently promising to provide a 5 million won political donation to nominee Kim.

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