Kim Seung-won Controversy Will Candidate and Family Face Investigation?
As the possibility of police reinvestigation into Justice Ministry nominee Kim Seung-won emerges, allegations surrounding his family continue to mount, drawing attention to whether the investigation may expand to include family members.
According to police and other sources on the 7th, the Seoul Police Agency is reviewing whether reinvestigation is possible regarding allegations that the nominee sought expedited approval for COVID-19 treatment drug clinical trials with Kim Gang-lip, then head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, in connection with two filed complaints received.
Nominee Kim is under suspicion of requesting in 2021, at the request of an acquaintance, that Kim Gang-lip expedite the approval process for clinical trials of a COVID-19 treatment development company. Nominee Kim acknowledged having had a phone call once but maintains he made no improper request.
The prosecution made a non-prosecution decision regarding nominee Kim in December 2024. However, following his nomination as a ministerial candidate, multiple complaints regarding the same allegations have been filed, leading to renewed police review.
Allegations surrounding his family are also spreading.
Controversy over family salary payments continues. According to Rep. Ju Jin-woo (People Power Party·Haeundae-A, Busan), the salaries received by nominee Kim's spouse, eldest son, and second daughter from the organization total approximately 330 million won. Claims have also been raised that the spouse and eldest son participated as interviewers in hiring the second daughter.
The opposition party argues that favoritism in family hiring and the process of designating Suwon City as a providing agency must be clarified. The nominee's side denies allegations of favoritism, stating that the children actually performed educational and childcare duties.
There are multiple precedents of a Justice Ministry minister or nominee and their family being placed under investigation together.
In 2019, then-nominee Cho Kuk came under prosecution investigation along with his family regarding allegations surrounding his children's college admissions, private equity funds, and Woongdong Academy. The prosecution launched a forced investigation, conducting searches at approximately 20 locations including relevant universities, private equity fund operators, and Woongdong Academy ahead of the personnel hearing.
In 2020, Chu Mi-ae, then-serving Justice Ministry minister, and her son underwent prosecution investigation on allegations of military leave favoritism. The prosecution subsequently determined there was no evidence of wrongdoing against Minister Chu and her son, issuing non-prosecution decisions.
In 2022, then-nominee Han Dong-hun faced allegations regarding his eldest daughter's thesis and credentials, leading to complaints against the nominee, his spouse, and his daughter being filed with police.
Following the emergence of reinvestigation possibilities for the Justice Ministry nominee himself, who oversees law enforcement, and with the scope of verification expanding to family members, the burden on the confirmation hearing proceedings appears to be growing.
Whether allegations surrounding the minister or nominee and their families, as occurred with former ministers Cho Kuk, Chu Mi-ae, and Han Dong-hun, will interlock with investigations remains another variable to watch.