[Anchor]

Kim Seung-won, nominee for Minister of Justice, who is engulfed in various allegations including lobbying the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, stated on his way to work today (Sept. 8) that he will explain everything in detail at the confirmation hearing. Regarding the allegation that the treatment involved in the suspected favor-peddling was originally a treatment for shingles rather than COVID-19, he maintained his stance that he was unaware of that fact at the time. The case filed over the suspected favor-peddling has been assigned to the Seoul Yeongdeungpo Police Station.

Reporter Shin Yong-il has the details.

[Reporter]

Arriving at the confirmation hearing preparation office in Jeokseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, this morning, Justice Minister Nominee Kim Seung-won, who directly and meticulously refuted various allegations such as MFDS lobbying to reporters yesterday, offered no particular explanations today, stating he would clarify them at the hearing before heading straight into the office.

[Kim Seung-won / Nominee for Minister of Justice: I will explain everything thoroughly and in detail at the hearing. (To confirm the reasons for the review delay...) I will speak about it at the hearing.]

Regarding the allegation that the new drug from the company linked to allegations that Nominee Kim lobbied the MFDS was actually a treatment for shingles rather than COVID-19, Kim's camp distributed a press notice to clarify. It stated, "As a result of recent confirmation, while it is true that the treatment was initially developed for shingles, the materials provided to Nominee Kim contained no mention whatsoever of it being a shingles treatment."

It added, "The nominee was unaware of this."

Kim further emphasized that at the time, he perceived that the necessary procedures for approving a COVID-19 treatment were underway, and that the appropriate review procedures had indeed been conducted by the MFDS, which was confirmed through prosecution investigations and judicial proceedings.

Meanwhile, the allegation regarding MFDS lobbying, which was filed by civic groups and others, has been assigned to the Seoul Yeongdeungpo Police Station.

The Yeongdeungpo Police Station plans to conduct questioning of the complainant as soon as it finishes reviewing the complaint and relevant legal principles.

(Photo courtesy of Bae Moon-san | Video Editing by Choi Jin-hwa)