Lobbying Scandal Widens Around Justice Minister Nominee Kim Seung-won

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon escalated allegations against Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won, releasing phone recordings he says show Kim lobbying then-Ministry of Food and Drug Safety head Kim Kang-lip in 2021 to expedite a COVID-19 drug trial approval for pharmaceutical firm Genencell on behalf of broker 'Yang,' who stood to gain roughly ₩500 million in convertible bonds. Han further alleged former presidential political affairs secretary Choi Jae-sung and Democratic Party lawmaker Song Young-gil knew of the arrangement; both denied involvement, with Choi calling it a 'third-rate movie' script. The nominee, part of President Lee's six-minister Cabinet reshuffle, has been ordered by the presidential office to proceed through confirmation hearings despite the allegations.