Kim Seung-won: "The Justice Minister Has No Authority to Withdraw the Indictment in Lee Jae Myung's Case; We Are Not Considering Directing the Investigation"

[Financial News] Kim Seung-won, nominee for justice minister, said the justice minister has no direct authority to withdraw the indictment in President Lee Jae Myung's case. He also said he was not considering exercising the authority to direct the investigation. Addressing allegations including lobbying at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, he offered his own explanations and said he humbly reflected on aspects that fall short of public expectations.
Kim made the remarks while meeting reporters on his first day at the personnel hearing preparation office in the Jeokseon Hyundai Building in Jongno District, Seoul, on the morning of the 3rd.
Asked about his position on withdrawing the indictment, Kim said, "As a lawmaker, I conveyed the public's view that the state must correct its mistakes when charges have been fabricated through an illegal investigation."
However, he emphasized that his position was different as a nominee for justice minister. "Under the law and principles, the trial prosecutor exercises authority over maintaining the prosecution in individual cases," he said. "I will respect that authority."
He also ruled out the possibility of ordering the withdrawal of the indictment through the justice minister's authority to direct investigations. Kim said, "We are not considering using that authority to direct the investigation."
He also directly addressed various allegations surrounding him.
Kim argued that the deferred prosecution he received over the so-called Ministry of Food and Drug Safety lobbying allegations was unjustified. In 2021, he was investigated on suspicion of asking the then head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to expedite approval of clinical trials for a COVID-19 drug developer at the request of an acquaintance. He was subsequently given a deferred prosecution.
He explained, "Starting in 2021, the prosecution mobilized more than 10 prosecutors for three years and conducted an intensive investigation, but ultimately issued a decision not to indict me." He added that it was difficult to view his actions as improper solicitation and that there had been no preferential treatment, convenience, or skipped procedures in the clinical approval process.
He continued, "A finding of no charges should have been issued in that matter, but it was unjust to grant me deferred prosecution simply because I introduced a way to provide support." He stressed, "I want to clear that sense of injustice to the very end."
Regarding allegations that a judge acquainted with Kim handled the warrant review in the case and that the prosecution's request for the judge's recusal was rejected, he countered that the prosecution had followed lawful procedures and said, "There is no judicial problem with it."
Regarding his past representation of a defendant in a sex-crime case, he explained, "It was a case taken on by the law firm I belonged to, but I was not substantively involved."
Regarding another case, he explained that the nephew of an acquaintance with whom he was close was involved. The defendant at the time was also a minor, and Kim said he represented him in line with his longstanding belief that defendants should be given another chance by explaining the circumstances and background of the offense.
He added, "I humbly reflect on aspects that do not meet public expectations," and said he would work to protect and advance the rights of socially vulnerable people, persons with disabilities, and older adults.
[email protected] Choi Eun-sol Reporter