Kim Seung-won Controversy Will Candidate and Family Come Under Investigation?

As the possibility of a police reinvestigation into Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won has been raised, allegations surrounding his family are also emerging, drawing attention to whether the investigation could expand to include family members.

According to police and other sources on the 7th, the Seoul Police Agency is in the process of assigning two complaint cases filed regarding allegations that the nominee sought to expedite approval of clinical trials for a COVID-19 treatment drug, and is reviewing the possibility of reinvestigation.

Nominee Kim is accused of, upon a request from an acquaintance in 2021, asking then-Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety Kim Gang-lip to expedite the clinical trial approval process for a COVID-19 treatment developer. Nominee Kim acknowledged that a phone call took place but maintains that there was no unauthorized solicitation.

The prosecution rendered a deferred indictment against nominee Kim in December 2024. However, following his nomination as ministerial candidate, multiple complaints regarding the same allegations have been filed, and he is now subject to police review again.

Allegations involving his family are also spreading.

A family salary controversy is also continuing. According to Rep. Ju Jin-woo (People Power Party, Haeundae-gap, Busan), the salaries received by nominee Kim's spouse, eldest son, and second daughter from the relevant organization total approximately 330 million won. Claims have also been raised that the spouse and eldest son participated as interviewers in the hiring of the second daughter.

The opposition claims that it must be clarified whether there were preferential treatment in family hiring and in the process of designating Suwon City as a designated institution. The nominee's side denies the allegations of favoritism, arguing that the children performed actual education and childcare duties.

There are several precedents of a Justice Minister or nominee and their family coming under investigation simultaneously.

In 2019, then-nominee Cho Kuk came under prosecution investigation along with his family due to allegations surrounding his children's college admissions, private equity funds, and Woongdong Academy. Prior to the confirmation hearing, prosecutors initiated forced investigations, conducting searches at some 20 entities including relevant universities, private equity fund operators, and Woongdong Academy.

In 2020, then-incumbent Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and her son received prosecution investigation over allegations of special military leave privileges. Prosecutors subsequently determined there was no evidence against Minister Choo and her son, rendering a non-indictment decision.

In 2022, then-nominee Han Dong-hun faced allegations involving his eldest daughter's thesis and academic credentials, leading to complaints filed with police against the nominee, his spouse, and his daughter.

Following the emergence of the possibility of reinvestigation into the Justice Minister nominee himself, who will oversee law enforcement, and as the scope of scrutiny expands to his family, the burden of the confirmation hearing process appears to be growing.

Whether suspicions surrounding the minister or nominee and their family will become intertwined with investigations, as was the case under former Ministers Cho Kuk, Choo Mi-ae, and Han Dong-hun, has emerged as another variable.