Kim Seung-won: Leaking Han Dong-hoon's Investigation Files Is What Deserves Criminal Punishment

Justice minister nominee Kim Seung-won said the leaking of investigation materials, rather than the allegations surrounding him, could itself amount to a criminal offense. He made the claim on the morning of Sept. 7 while speaking to reporters outside his confirmation-hearing preparation office in Seoul.

Kim is facing allegations that he sought a favor involving approval for a clinical trial of a new COVID-19 drug. He said he “takes seriously that I should have acted more cautiously,” but turned his criticism toward independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, accusing him of gradually feeding investigation materials to the media as part of a political offensive.

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I take seriously that I should have acted more cautiously.

Kim questioned whether Han had obtained the materials lawfully. He also asked whether Han had checked if the documents matched the originals and whether their contents were true, referring to court rulings that he said indicated the presence of substantial illegally collected evidence. Kim argued that the prosecution investigation into him, which began in 2022, resembled simultaneous investigations into Democratic Party lawmakers at the time.

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The leaking of investigation materials is what deserves criminal punishment.

He also rejected media reports that portrayed him as involved in stock manipulation. Kim said he had only recently learned that the company at issue, GenNCell, was unlisted. Although an investigation into alleged stock manipulation at the company had reportedly been underway since 2023, he said prosecutors had never summoned him during the three-year period. “If it were true, would they have left me alone?” he asked.

Kim further denied reports that he had been avoiding public appearances. He said a family member had become critically ill the previous week and required treatment in emergency and intensive care units. He added that he went to his office in the afternoons, received regular briefings and continued working.

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If it were true, would they have left me alone?