Allegations of Solicitation Involving Kim Seung-won's Nomination for Minister of Justice Rise as a Hearing Issue

Ahead of the confirmation hearing for nominee Kim Seungwon for Minister of Justice, allegations of a favor request related to the Genencell COVID19 new drug have emerged as a key issue. The nominee says that at the request of his acquaintance, Mr. Yang, he relayed a request to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to look into the status of the clinical approval process, and he describes this as a civil complaint made from a publicinterest standpoint. According to reports, Kim and Yang had maintained a longstanding friendship and were known to have been close, even exchanging congratulatory flower wreaths before the favor request discussions. Later, in phone calls between the two, mentions continued regarding the new drug approval procedure, and Kim contacted the MFDS to request progress on the approval, after which the approval was actually granted. Also being cited is Yang's statement to prosecutors that he had considered offering cash compensation worth 20 million won in return for the favor request. However, Kim denies that there was any promise of compensation or receipt of money, so the hearing is expected to verify the relevant facts and whether the matter was related to his official duties.