Will Kim Seung-won, Justice Minister Nominee Facing a String of Allegations Including 'Clinical Trial Approval Lobbying,' Clear Them at Tomorrow's Hearing?

[Financial News] Kim Seung-won, nominee for minister of justice, will personally explain the various allegations surrounding him, including an alleged request to expedite clinical-trial approval, at his confirmation hearing on the 15th. Kim has maintained that the alleged request was merely "the delivery of a civil petition for the public interest." With the launch of the Public Prosecution Office and the Serious Crime Investigation Agency just over two weeks away, his policy qualifications will also be examined as he seeks to lead the Ministry of Justice and oversee reforms to the criminal justice system.
On the 14th, Kim said as he arrived at the confirmation-hearing preparation team’s office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, "I will explain everything fully to the people at the hearing." Key issues are expected to include allegations that he asked for expedited approval of GENENCELL’s COVID-19 treatment clinical trial, questions involving other related parties, and the controversy over the withdrawal of Lee Jae Myung’s indictment.
The biggest issue is the allegation involving approval of GENENCELL’s clinical trial. In October 2021, Kim received a request from an acquaintance, identified by the surname Yang, to expedite approval of GENENCELL’s clinical trial for a COVID-19 treatment. He then conveyed the request to the head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety at the time. The ministry approved the clinical-trial plan about two weeks later.
After its investigation, prosecutors acknowledged that Kim was suspected of agreeing to receive 5 million won in political donations in exchange for arranging the matter. However, they deferred prosecution in December 2024, saying, "It is difficult to conclude that the request itself was illegal." Kim’s side maintains that he only conveyed a public-interest petition aimed at preventing the outflow of national wealth. It has also filed a constitutional complaint, arguing that the deferred-prosecution decision was unjustified.
Political circles have raised suspicions, based on recordings of Kim, Yang and other parties, that private interests may have been involved. Some have also claimed that Kim’s petition was connected to the SEJONG MEDICAL stock-manipulation case and the resulting losses suffered by investors following the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety’s approval.
Kim’s side rejected the claims, saying, "Negotiations over investment in GENENCELL had been under way before the petition was conveyed, and approval of the clinical-trial plan was not a contractual acquisition condition." It also said there was no concrete evidence that Kim was involved in stock manipulation or related activities. Regarding the subsequent employment of the son of the judge who rejected an arrest warrant for GENENCELL’s founder as a legislative aide in a lawmaker’s office, Kim’s side said he was hired through formal procedures and paid approximately 1 million won per month for his actual work.
Concerns that Kim could become involved in withdrawing Lee Jae Myung’s indictment will also be examined. Kim, who previously served as co-chair of a related group, drew a line under the issue on the 3rd, saying, "The minister of justice has no direct authority, and I have no intention of directing the matter through the prosecutor general."
Alongside the personal allegations, his policies on reforming the criminal justice system are also drawing attention. In outlining his vision as a nominee, Kim said, "I will make thorough preparations for the launch of the Public Prosecution Office," adding, "I will work with relevant agencies to prevent illegal or inadequate investigations and delays in handling cases." The Public Prosecution Office and the Serious Crime Investigation Agency are scheduled to launch on the 2nd of next month.
In particular, adjustments to the Public Prosecution Office’s organizational structure are continuing until just before its launch. Following Lee Jae Myung’s instructions to revise and supplement the organizational plan, the Ministry of Justice is considering readjusting the number of prosecutors after the launch, based on an analysis of its workload and external research. The name “Judicial Control Division” is also likely to be changed to “Division for Reviewing Non-Referral Cases.” With the number of prosecutors expected to decline further because of special appointments and resignations at the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, determining the number and roles of prosecutors needed after the separation of investigations and indictments remains another challenge.
 
[email protected] Choi Eun-sol Reporter