Police reopen probe into justice minister nominee's alleged illegal lobbying

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SEOUL, Sept. 8 (Yonhap) -- Police on Tuesday reopened an investigation into allegations Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won illegally lobbied for a COVID-19 treatment in 2021, sources said.

Kim, a two-term lawmaker who was tapped by President Lee Jae Myung late last month, has faced mounting pressure following allegations that he asked the then food and drug safety minister to speed up the treatment's clinical trial approval at a broker's request.

An earlier investigation ended in 2024 with the prosecution withholding formal indictment after determining his request could not be definitively found as illegal solicitation.

Ko Beom-seok, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, however, told reporters the previous day that the case could be reinvestigated based on a criminal complaint filed by a civic group last week.

The case was assigned to Seoul's Yeongdeungpo Police Station on Tuesday, according to the sources. Following a legal review, the police station is expected to question the accusers.

The nominee has denied any wrongdoing, saying he made no illegal requests to the then minister.

Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won arrives at his confirmation hearing preparation office in Seoul on Sept. 8, 2026. (Yonhap)

hague@yna.co.kr (END)

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Police reopen probe into justice minister nominee's alleged illegal lobbying

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首尔，9月8日（韩联社）——消息人士称，警方周二重启了对法务部长官提名人金承元涉嫌在2021年非法游说获取新冠肺炎治疗药物的调查。

金某是连任两届的国会议员，上个月底被李在明总统任命。此前有指控称，他应中间人的要求，要求当时的食品药品安全部长加快该疗法的临床试验审批，此后他面临着越来越大的压力。

此前的一项调查于 2024 年结束，检方在认定无法确定他的请求是否构成非法索取后，暂未正式起诉。

然而，首尔地方警察厅厅长高范锡前一天告诉记者，根据上周一个民间团体提出的刑事投诉，此案可能会重新调查。

据消息人士透露，此案已于周二移交首尔永登浦警察署。经法律审查后，预计该警察署将对指控者进行讯问。

该候选人否认有任何不当行为，称他没有向当时的部长提出任何非法要求。

2026年9月8日，韩国法务部长官提名人金承元抵达位于首尔的确认听证会准备办公室。（韩联社）

hague@yna.co.kr (完)

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