Independent Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon additionally released transcripts on the 8th showing broker Yang, a key figure in the suspected new drug clinical trial approval lobbying allegations involving Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, boasting about his close ties with former Blue House Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Choi Jae-seong.

Following the public release of Yang's phone conversations with Choi the previous day, Choi refuted claims about his relationship with Yang in a media interview, stating, "After not seeing each other for several years, we happened to meet again at Yongsan Station around 2021, and I just listened to various things over the phone since then." In response, Han fired back, asking, "Why do the Democratic Party's 'oppas' keep running into broker Yang 'by chance'?"

Taking to Facebook today, Lawmaker Han posted a transcript of a phone conversation held on September 1, 2021, between Yang and Kang, the head of the pharmaceutical company Genencell.

In the transcript, Kang says, "Originally, we need to get IND (investigational new drug) approval before the 24th so we can apply for government support funds on the 24th."

Yang responds, "Professor (Kang), that is what I am good at. You know, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety you just mentioned. This is an act that doesn't cost money. The current administration helps with acts that don't cost money," adding, "I really know a lot of key people in this administration. I know a lot of people, starting from the Chief of Staff."

September 2021, when they had this conversation, was during the Moon Jae-in administration.

Yang continues, "The current head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and National Assembly Member Choi Jae-seong are very close. National Assembly Member Choi used to be the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs and is currently on the outside, but President Moon trusts him a lot. So he sways the administration a bit."

He then mentions ties with Democratic Party figures, saying, "So Han Byung-do and Choi Jae-seong are extremely close, Han Byung-do and Song Young-gil are very close, and that older person whose name I completely forgot right now, what is it... Mr. Lee Nak-yeon's uncle, who came today, is the absolute right-hand man of Chairman Cho Se-yeon, leading the marketing and everything."

Yang repeatedly states, "The conclusion is, if I quietly have a meeting arranged with Chairman Choi or the Chief of Staff regarding whatever is stuck at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and say, 'Please help with this, there is data like this and there is no reason not to do it,' they are people who will move."

Three days after this conversation took place, on September 4, 2021, Kang spoke with Yang again on the phone, saying, "I thought it would become a bit easier if people from the Democratic Party said a word," and adding, "It's not a matter of IND approval, but once this is approved, we need to apply for government support funds, and it's worth 15 billion won..."

Commenting on these conversations in his Facebook post, Lawmaker Han asked, "Why on earth would broker Yang discuss such covert progress regarding Genencell's new drug with former Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Choi Jae-seong, whom he met by chance?" He added, "Is that conversation something that could 'suddenly pop up after running into each other by chance at Yongsan Station'?"

He went on to criticize, "They are trying to rip off state money with a lethal poison that would make even a rat vomit to death by asking favors from the Democratic Party's oppas, and pocket a share," asking, "Is the Democratic Party still going to lie to the public that broker Yang's 'oppa poison lobbying' is a good public petition?"


Meeting with reporters in the Rotunda Hall of the National Assembly, Lawmaker Han continued, "The prosecution team submitted a report stating that 'Seungwon oppa' was promised bribes, so they would indict him and seek a prison sentence, but following the martial law, it became a suspension of indictment," and asked, "Isn't 'Seungwon oppa' the only 'oppa' in the 'Democratic Party oppa poison lobbying gate'? Multiple Democratic Party politicians appear in it. Shouldn't we launch a special counsel investigation to bring everything to light?"

Regarding nominee Kim's demand that Han attend the National Assembly confirmation hearing as a witness, Han responded positively, stating, "I make a request to (National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee) Chairperson Seo Young-kyo. Please call me, whether as a witness or as a (hearing) committee member."

Furthermore, regarding Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok and Lawmaker Song Young-gil criticizing him in unison, Han fired back, saying, "The Democratic Party oppas from the May 18 eve New Millennium NHK room salon have nothing to rebut regarding the facts, so they only resort to crude personal attacks."
 
(Photo: Yonhap News)