Police reopen probe into justice minister nominee's alleged illegal lobbying
Police on Tuesday reopened an investigation into allegations Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won illegally lobbied for a COVID-19 treatment in 2021, sources said. Kim, a two-term lawmaker who was tapped by President Lee Jae Myung late last month, has faced mounting pressure following allegations that he asked the then food and drug safety minister to speed up the treatment's clinical trial…
Police have reopened an investigation into accusations that Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won engaged in illegal lobbying in 2021, sources reported. The nominee, a two-term lawmaker appointed by President Lee Jae Myung, is facing mounting pressure after being accused of requesting the then food and drug safety minister to expedite the clinical trial approval of a COVID-19 treatment at the request of a broker.
A prior probe concluded in 2024 with the prosecution deciding not to file charges due to insufficient evidence of illegal solicitation. Ko Beom-seok, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, had stated the case could be reinvestigated following a criminal complaint filed by a civic group the previous day. The case was assigned to Seoul's Yeongdeungpo Police Station on Tuesday, sources said.
After a legal review, the police station is expected to question the accusers, according to the sources. Kim has denied any wrongdoing, claiming he did not make any illegal requests to the then minister.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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