Justice minister nominee denies illegal COVID-19 treatment lobbying allegations

Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won has refuted allegations of illegally lobbying for a COVID-19 treatment in 2021, stating he should have been more cautious in making his request, Yonhap reports. Kim claimed he never engaged in unlawful solicitation and that the food and drug ministry's review was not unfairly conducted as a result.

Prosecutors previously dropped the case after determining Kim's request could not be definitively deemed illegal solicitation. Kim's team described his request as delivering a public interest grievance to prevent trial delay, stating no political donations or valuables were received in return. Independent Rep. Han Dong-hoon released recordings allegedly showing Kim and a broker discussing lobbying efforts, prompting Kim to accuse Han of leaking investigative material in a politically motivated attack.