Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon on the 5th refuted the explanation given by Minister of Justice nominee Kim Seung-won regarding a February 2022 photo showing Kim with a broker surnamed Yang, who was implicated in a clinical trial approval solicitation scandal, and a warrant-duty judge, calling it a "shameless lie."

Lawmaker Han posted on his social media account, asking, "Is it true that you 'accidentally' ran into Yang around February 2022?" before releasing related transcripts.

According to the transcripts revealed by Han, nominee Kim told Yang during a phone call on February 9, 2022, when he was a first-term lawmaker, "Sister, I miss you so much that tears are coming to my eyes," to which Yang replied, "Oppa, I will run over right now. Where are you?"

When Kim said, "I'm in Yeouido," Yang responded, "I'm in Hanam, and I'll arrive in an hour. Is that okay? I'll leave right now, so please give me the address."

In response, Kim said, "Wait a second... Well, it's also the court's personnel reshuffle period, and..." to which Yang replied, "Ah, is it too inconvenient?" and Kim reacted by saying, "I'll wait."

In a second phone call made on the same day, Kim said, "It's a pity if we can only see each other for 20 to 30 minutes," and Yang mentioned, "It's not a pity. I am bringing plenty of goods with me, so just stay put."

Kim then replied, "Alright, alright, I will stay."

Regarding the "goods" mentioned by Yang, Han asked, "What was the 'goods' that he received in abundance from Yang?"


In another social media post, Han also uploaded a transcript of a phone call made by Yang with another person in October 2021.

In this transcript, regarding the suspicion of solicitation for clinical trial approval for a new drug, Yang stated, "Clearing the licensing is up to Oppa Seung-won," adding, "Oppa Seung-won talked to the Minister of Food and Drug Safety and said today, 'Shall I push it to the Ministry of Health and Welfare too? The donation is only 5 million won, so you need to do well. Everything is moving because of you.'"

Regarding this, Han claimed, "It implies that since Kim would only receive 5 million won in donations anyway, Yang should fully secure the rewards for the lobbying of the Food and Drug Safety Minister that Kim arranged."

In addition, Han re-excerpted and posted a part from a previously disclosed transcript between nominee Kim and Yang dated September 14, 2021, where Yang mentioned, "If this is monetized, it would also be good for Oppa's election next year."

He also linked a post by a pro-Han Dong-hoon faction figure pointing out that the year 2022, which was "next year" from 2021, was scheduled for a "presidential election," not general elections for which Kim would run.

He then wrote, "That's right. Therefore, Lee Jae-myung's Democratic Party defends Kim Seung-won's 'Oppa poison lobbying,'" adding, "It is not something that ends just by withdrawing Kim Seung-won."

Previously, nominee Kim, a former judge, was investigated on charges of asking then-Minister of Food and Drug Safety Kim Gang-lip to approve clinical trials for the relevant treatment in October 2021 at the solicitation of Yang. However, in December 2024, the prosecution issued a suspension of indictment for Kim, judging that there was no direct exchange of valuables and that it was difficult to conclude the solicitation was illegal.

The controversy later arose when a photo taken in February 2022 showing nominee Kim, broker Yang, and warrant-duty judge Chung together became known.

In response, nominee Kim's confirmation hearing preparation team stated, "We only accidentally ran into judge Chung and Yang at a public private gathering, and we have not met or contacted them since," adding, "Judge Chung was not involved in the warrant review for the case. The two requests for arrest warrants against Yang were reviewed and dismissed by different warrant-duty judges unrelated to judge Chung."

(Photo: Yonhap News)