Police review legal grounds for reopening Kim Seung-won lobbying case after non-prosecution decision

South Korean police are reviewing whether to reopen an allegation against Kim Seung-won, a nominee for justice minister, after prosecutors previously issued a deferred-prosecution decision in the case.

The allegation concerns claims that Kim sought favors over approval for a clinical trial of a COVID-19 treatment. Police assigned two complaints on the matter on the 7th, opening a review of whether another investigation should proceed.

Seoul Metropolitan Police Chief Go Beom-seok said at his first regular news conference since taking office that the complaints had been received and would be assigned according to jurisdiction. “Since the complaints have been received, we will assign the case and conduct the investigation according to law and procedure,” he said, adding that the assignment was expected around that day.

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Since the complaints have been received, we will assign the case and conduct the investigation according to law and procedure.

Asked whether police could investigate the matter again, Go said, “That is something we need to review once more. The assigned unit will examine the legal issues, and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency will review them as well.”

Prosecutors deferred indictment in Kim’s case in December 2024. A deferred-prosecution decision means authorities recognize the alleged offense but postpone bringing charges. Because it is not a judge’s final ruling, it does not prevent investigative agencies from reopening the investigation, according to the analysis described in the article.

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That is something we need to review once more. The assigned unit will examine the legal issues, and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency will review them as well.