Han Dong-hoon releases additional transcripts related to candidate Kim Seung-won, asking whether public interest complaints are resolved

On the 4th, independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon additionally released on Facebook a past transcript with Mr. Yang, known as a broker in the case, asking, "Is this a solution to public interest complaints" regarding Justice Minister candidate Kim Seung-won's "suspicion of requesting clinical trials for new drugs."

According to the transcript, in a phone call with Candidate Kim on October 7, 2021, Mr. Yang said, "Oppa, this is the professor's case I mentioned before. An application for review regarding a coronavirus treatment is currently being submitted to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety." He added, "There was a change in the person in charge this time, so the results were originally scheduled to come out on the 12th or 8th, but it looks like this will be delayed."

‘Oppa’ is the title that Mr. Yang calls candidate Kim, and ‘professor’ refers to Mr. Kang, the owner of Genencell, a pharmaceutical manufacturer.

Mr. Yang continued, "From what I can see, this is a fully prepared framework. So, it would be really good if my brother helped me with this," and explained, "Because this place has already attracted 30 billion won in investment. The money is scheduled to arrive on October 15th."

In addition, he added, "For plan 1, I would like to see my brother when the time comes, either this week or next week, and for plan 2, I would like the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to keep me informed of the status of the review process."

Candidate Kim responded, "The moment it is approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, you can make hundreds of billions of won. So there is intense lobbying, and I need to hear an explanation. To save time, could you send me some data by email? Let's see later. I'm a little busy because I'm in the middle of a government audit, but I can see it in Seoul."

In a transcript dated September 14, 2021, released by Rep. Han the day before, Yang explained, "Brother, Professor Kang is now unofficially in Phase 3 of COVID-19. What the professor said was that the data was too good and the only problem is the protocol."

Mr. Yang said, "What I want to say to my brother is, isn't there an election for you? Our professor is the largest shareholder of Genencell. Now, that company will become a Corona (new drug) company," and added, "If this is capitalized, it will be good for my brother's election next year."

Candidate Kim responded, "Then shall we meet right after Chuseok? I'll send you the date."

Meanwhile, Rep. Han also disclosed the contents of the 'Spherical Plan Report', which appears to have been written in August 2024 after the Seoul Western District Prosecutor's Office summoned and investigated candidate Kim on charges of bribery.

One lawmaker claimed that the prosecution had originally planned to sentence Candidate Kim to '8 months in prison', but for some reason, the sentence was not carried out.

In the report, it was stated that "Kang received a large amount of illegal profits worth 11 billion won and Mr. Yang received 600 million won worth of illegal profits through the suspect's (candidate Kim)'s mediation and promise of bribes, and considering the fact that he denied the crime and did not reflect on the crime despite the seriousness of the mistake, including the approval of clinical trials for medicines based on false data and the risk to public health," he would be sentenced to "8 months in prison."

The report also stated, "If a person commits a crime of bribery through bribery while in office and is sentenced to probation or imprisonment, he or she will lose the right to run for election, which is a natural reason for retirement under the National Assembly Act." It also states that "in cases of bribery through bribery where the amount received is not large, a suspended sentence is generally given."

Regarding this, one lawmaker said, “The Western District Prosecutors’ Office summoned and interrogated candidate Kim on charges of bribery in August 2024.

Afterwards, the Western District Prosecutors' Office decided to indict Candidate Kim and delivered a written indictment plan to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the Ministry of Justice saying they would indict candidate Kim Seung-won," he said. "I ask this on behalf of the people. “Who and why prevented Kim Seung-won from being indicted and sentenced to prison?” he asked.

Previously, the prosecution suspended the indictment of candidate Kim in December 2024.