Kim Seung-won reported repeatedly over alleged lobbying, police to review whether to reopen probe

Police have assigned complaints against Kim Seung-won, the nominee for South Korea’s justice minister, and are considering whether to reopen an earlier investigation into him.

Seoul Metropolitan Police Chief Ko Beom-seok said at a regular briefing on the 7th that once the complaint was assigned, the investigation would proceed according to established procedures. He said the case would likely be assigned to a local police station that day. Civic groups and others accused Kim of asking the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to help speed approval for clinical trials of a COVID-19 treatment developed by Genexel, filing complaints that allege violations of the Anti-Graft Act and abuse of authority.

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Once we receive and assign the complaint, the investigation will proceed according to procedure.

Police have received two complaints since President Lee Jae-myung nominated Kim on the 30th of the previous month. Kim had previously faced an investigation over an allegation that, in October 2021, he asked then-Food and Drug Safety Minister Kim Kang-lip, at the request of a broker identified only by surname, to expedite approval of Genexel’s Phase 2 and 3 trial plan. Prosecutors issued a deferred-indictment disposition in December 2024. That decision recognized the criminal allegations but closed the case without sending it to trial.

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We are considering it.

Asked whether police would also review a renewed investigation into the lobbying allegations, Ko said they were considering it. The Seoul police headquarters and the station assigned the case will examine the legal issues together.

Police headquarters also received five complaints against Yong Hye-in, a nominee for gender equality and family minister, and plans to review them before assigning them to the appropriate station. Separately, Ko said an investigation into independent lawmaker Kim Byung-kee, formerly of the Democratic Party, had reached its final stage despite criticism over delays. The inquiry covers allegations involving preferential university admission for his second son, hospitality received from Korean Air and illegal political funds. A police review committee recently ordered the case to be handled quickly within one month.

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We are investigating with a sense of urgency, but the legal review is taking considerable time.