Han Dong-hoon releases more recordings, saying Choi Jae-sung wielded influence over the government

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon has released additional recordings in his campaign over allegations surrounding lobbying for approval of Jenencell’s COVID-19 treatment. The recordings mention former presidential senior secretary for political affairs Choi Jae-sung, prompting Han to ask why Democratic Party figures repeatedly met the broker involved “by coincidence.”

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Why do Democratic Party big brothers meet broker Yang by coincidence every time?

Han published recordings of calls on September 1 and 4, 2021, between businessman Yang, whom he described as a broker in the approval process, and Kang, the founder of pharmaceutical company Jenencell. Han said the conversations showed why Yang had brought Choi into efforts to secure approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

In one call, Kang said a preliminary meeting with the ministry had taken place and that the official responsible had changed again. The company needed approval for its investigational new drug plan before September 24 so it could apply for government support funding that day.

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What I am good at is that kind of thing. I cannot lend money or invest, but the Food and Drug Safety Ministry matter you mentioned does not cost money.

Yang replied that helping with the ministry was the kind of work he did. He said he could not lend or invest money, but that this work did not cost money, and claimed to know many key people in the government. He said the ministry’s head was close to Choi and described Choi as someone trusted by former President Moon Jae-in who could influence the administration. Yang also said Choi was close to Han Byung-do, who was close to Song Young-gil, and suggested that senior figures could help move the approval forward.

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Choi and Han Byung-do are extremely close, and Han Byung-do and Song Young-gil are very close.

In another call, Kang said approval might become easier if Democratic Party figures said even a word in support. He explained that the company needed approval to apply for government funding, including 10 billion won of its own contribution toward a 50 billion won application. Han said Choi had claimed he met Yang again by chance at Yongsan Station after knowing him through a volunteer group that sent books overseas. Han argued that Choi had not explained why he discussed Jenencell’s approval or Yang’s potential compensation, asking whether such a conversation could suddenly emerge from an accidental meeting at the station.

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Is that a conversation that could suddenly emerge from meeting by chance at Yongsan Station?