Han Dong-hoon: "Why Do the Democratic Party's 'Oppa' Figures Keep Meeting by Chance?"—Allegations Surrounding Kim Seung-won Escalate

[Financial News] Opposition attacks surrounding Kim Seung-won, nominee for Minister of Justice, are spreading across the board. Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon released an additional recording in which broker Yang, a key figure in allegations that someone sought favors for approval of a new-drug clinical trial, boasted of close ties with ruling-party figures, including former Chief Policy Secretary Choi Jae-sung. The People Power Party also raised new questions about salaries and statutory reserve funds at a social cooperative operated by Kim's family.
On the 8th, Han posted on Facebook a recording of a phone call between Yang and Kang, the head of pharmaceutical company GENENCELL, on September 1, 2021. He wrote, "Why do the Democratic Party's 'oppa' figures keep meeting broker Yang 'by chance' every time?"
This was a renewed rebuttal to former Chief Policy Secretary Choi Jae-sung's explanation of his relationship with Yang. Choi said that after not seeing Yang for several years, he happened to run into him again at Yongsan Station around 2021 and later heard various things from him by phone.
According to the recording, when Kang said he needed to obtain approval for an investigational new drug application (IND) and apply for government support funds, Yang replied, "That's the kind of thing I'm good at," adding, "I really know a lot of key people in this administration. I know a great many of them, starting with the chief of staff."
Yang claimed to be close to former Chief Policy Secretary Choi Jae-sung and the then-Minister of Food and Drug Safety, saying, "National Assembly member Choi Jae-sung served as chief policy secretary and is now outside the government, but he is someone President Moon trusts very much." He also boasted of ties with Democratic Party figures including Han Byung-do and Song Young-gil.
Regarding matters involving the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Yang also said, "If I quietly arrange a meeting with Chairman Choi or perhaps the chief of staff or someone like that and say, 'Please help with this,' they are the kind of people who would take action."
A call three days later, on September 4, also included Kang saying, "I think it might become a little easier if people like those in the Democratic Party say even a word," and, "If this gets approved, we have to apply for government support funds—1.5 billion won..."
Han asked, "Why would broker Yang discuss GENENCELL's highly confidential drug-development status with former Chief Policy Secretary Choi Jae-sung, whom he supposedly met by chance?" He added, "Is that a conversation that could suddenly emerge after meeting by chance at Yongsan Station?"
Speaking with reporters at the National Assembly, he continued, "The 'oppa poison-drug lobbying scandal' does not involve only one person, Oppa Seung-won," and argued, "Several Democratic Party politicians appear in it. Shouldn't a special counsel investigate and uncover everything?"
In response to Kim Seung-won's demand that he appear as a witness at the confirmation hearing, Han said, "I ask Chairwoman Seo Young-kyo to call me—whether as a witness or as a committee member."
The People Power Party targeted a social cooperative operated by Kim Seung-won's family.
According to People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo, the Korea Child Development Social Cooperative, an institution providing care services for people with developmental disabilities, paid a total of 68.4 million won in 2024, 89.3 million won last year, and 113.82 million won from January through August this year in salaries to Kim's spouse, who serves as its representative, and their two children, who work for the cooperative. Meanwhile, the cooperative's net profit fell 54.3%, from 103.32 million won in 2024 to 47.2 million won last year.
Joo claimed, "The Kim family raised their own salaries by 30% every year, reducing the welfare benefits that should have gone to people with disabilities," adding, "Unless the person is a sitting lawmaker, it would be impossible to hold such a salary feast using 100% taxpayer money."
He also raised allegations that the cooperative failed to make required statutory reserve contributions. Joo said it should have added at least 31 million won from its 2024 net profit to the statutory reserve but did not do so. He explained that the statutory reserve at the end of last year was approximately 18.25 million won, unchanged from the end of 2024.
Joo also took issue with the fact that the cooperative did not apply for designation as a provider of activity services for people with developmental disabilities while it was previously located in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, but did so after moving to Suwon, Kim's constituency. Calling on President Lee Jae Myung to withdraw Kim's nomination, Joo urged Kim to "face an investigation."

[email protected] Kim Kyung-min Reporter