[사설] ‘신약 로비 의혹’ 법무장관 후보자, 한점 남김 없이 해명해야

Kim Seung-won, the candidate for Minister of Justice, has come under scrutiny over an alleged "drug development lobbying suspicion." The Ministry of Justice confirmed that he was subject to a "charged with suspicion" decision by prosecutors, which means that they could resume the investigation and even file charges. This poses a significant challenge for someone who will be heading the Ministry of Justice, as they need to be able to carry out their duties without the threat of further investigation.

Kim Seung-won must clearly address any potential suspicions related to his actions. In 2021, he received a request from a pharmaceutical company to help expedite clinical trials for a COVID-19 treatment. He allegedly offered a bribe to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to expedite the process, but it was never delivered. Prosecutors confirmed this in their 2024 decision to charge him with bribery.

Kim Seung-won stated on January 1st that he had requested 11 prosecutors to investigate the matter, but found no direct evidence of the bribe, nor any special treatment, nor did the courts agree with the allegations. He has filed a constitutional complaint to challenge the decision. A "charged with suspicion" decision essentially treats the investigation as proof of guilt, which some argue is an unfair practice.

While he was not found guilty in court, he should not be treated as if he is a convicted criminal. As the Minister of Justice, he serves as the highest-ranking official in the Ministry, overseeing all investigations. This raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest if he were to face further investigation while in office.

Kim Seung-won must address any lingering doubts about his actions and provide a clear resolution. His handling of this matter will be closely watched, especially given his recent role as a key witness in the impeached President's case, where he advocated for the dismissal of criminal charges. This has led to accusations from opposition parties that he is "appointing himself as the prosecutor" in order to clear his own name.

The new Minister of Justice will face the challenging task of implementing a new criminal justice system, and will need to do so with the confidence of the public.