Kim Seung-won Controversy Will Candidate and Family Come Under Investigation?
As the possibility of police reinvestigation into Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won has been raised, allegations surrounding his family continue to mount, drawing attention to whether the investigation could expand to include family members.
According to police and others on the 7th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is reviewing the possibility of reinvestigation after beginning the assignment process for two complaint cases filed regarding nominee Kim's alleged solicitation to expedite clinical trial approval for a COVID-19 therapeutic drug.
Nominee Kim is suspected of requesting then-Minister of Food and Drug Safety Kim Gang-lip in 2021, at the behest of an acquaintance, to expedite clinical trial approval procedures for a COVID-19 therapeutic drug development company. Nominee Kim has acknowledged making a single phone call but maintains there was no improper solicitation.
The prosecution disposed of the case against nominee Kim with deferred prosecution in December 2024. However, after his nomination as ministerial candidate, additional complaints regarding the same allegations have been filed in succession, and the case now faces police review again.
Allegations surrounding his family are also spreading.
Nominee Kim's spouse works as director of an educational facility for students with developmental disabilities. It has come to light that the facility has been using the name 'school' without being registered with Gyeonggi Province Office of Education as a school or alternative education institution, sparking controversy over the operation of an unauthorized educational facility.
Nominee Kim's side explained that it reported as an alternative education institution in accordance with 2021 Gyeonggi Province ordinances but failed to complete the education office registration process required by subsequently enacted legislation, and stated it would proceed with appropriate registration procedures.
A controversy over family salaries continues as well. According to Rep. Ju Jin-woo (People Power Party, Busan Haeundae-gap), the total salary received by nominee Kim's spouse, eldest son, and second daughter from the organization in question amounts to 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 party argues that it must be clarified whether there were improprieties in nepotistic hiring and the Suwon city designation process for the providing institution. Nominee Kim's side denies allegations of favoritism, stating that the children actually performed educational and childcare duties.
There are multiple precedents of a Minister of Justice or candidate and their family coming under investigation simultaneously.
In 2019, nominee Cho Kuk came under prosecution investigation alongside his family regarding allegations surrounding his children's college admissions, private equity funds, and Ungang Academy. The prosecution launched compulsory investigation with property seizures at roughly 20 locations including relevant universities, private equity fund operators, and Ungang Academy ahead of the personnel hearing.
In 2020, then-sitting Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and her son underwent prosecution investigation on allegations of military leave favoritism. The prosecution subsequently found no evidence of wrongdoing and issued a non-indictment disposition.
In 2022, nominee Han Dong-hun faced allegations regarding his eldest daughter's thesis and academic credentials, leading to complaint cases filed against Han the candidate, his spouse, and daughter with the police.
As the possibility of reinvestigation into the Justice Minister nominee himself, whose role is to oversee law enforcement, has been raised, and the scope of verification has expanded to include family members, the burden on the confirmation hearing appears to be growing.
Whether allegations surrounding a minister or candidate and their family will become intertwined with investigations, as occurred under former Ministers Cho Kuk, Choo Mi-ae, and Han Dong-hun, has emerged as another variable.
전시언 기자 yourside@news-s.kr