Police Reopen Investigation Into Justice Minister Nominee Kim Seung-won

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has reopened an investigation into allegations that Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won engaged in illegal lobbying in 2021. The case, assigned to the Yeongdeungpo Police Station on Tuesday, follows a criminal complaint filed by a civic group. The probe focuses on allegations that Kim, a two-term lawmaker nominated by President Lee Jae Myung, asked the then head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to expedite the clinical trial approval for a COVID-19 drug developed by Genencell at the request of a broker surnamed Yang.

A previous investigation concluded in 2024 when prosecutors decided not to indict Kim, determining that the request could not be definitively found as illegal solicitation. However, further allegations have emerged. According to an editorial, a broker on trial for promising Kim a bribe claimed that Kim provided his bank account number for a political donation. Additionally, reports mention a 2022 photograph showing Kim with the Genencell founder and a judge who had previously denied an arrest warrant for the founder. There are also concerns regarding stock price fluctuations of Sejong Medical, Genencell's largest shareholder, around the time of the trial approval.

Kim Seung-won has denied any wrongdoing. He maintains that he merely conveyed a public-interest grievance and notes that the previous three-year investigation was conducted under former President Yoon Suk Yeol. While center-leaning coverage emphasizes the unanswered questions regarding Kim's fitness for office and potential links to stock manipulation, center-right coverage focuses on the procedural facts of the police reopening the probe.