Seoul Police Take Over Investigation Into Representative Kim Seung-won Over Alleged Drug Lobbying
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s metropolitan investigation unit has taken over five complaints involving Democratic Party Representative Kim Seung-won regarding alleged lobbying for a COVID-19 therapeutic clinical trial, the Hankook Ilbo reported. The case was transferred from the Yeongdeungpo Police Station as investigators faced complex legal hurdles in reviewing the allegations.
Representative Kim faces accusations that he intervened in 2021 on behalf of broker Yang Su-jin, who was connected to Genencell CEO Kang Sae-chan. According to the allegations, Kim asked then-Food and Drug Safety Minister Kim Gang-lip to approve clinical trials for a COVID-19 treatment developed by Genencell. While prosecutors issued a non-prosecution disposition with suspension of indictment for Kim regarding the Food and Drug Safety Ministry lobbying allegation in 2024, legal interpretations allow for renewed police investigation since the decision is not a final court ruling.
Financial Irregularity Allegations Shift to Suwon Investigation Bureau
The financial crime investigation unit of the Seoul police is currently reviewing the legal aspects of Representative Kim’s alleged violation of the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act. Meanwhile, separate allegations concerning accounting irregularities within the Democratic Party’s Gyeonggi Provincial Chapter are scheduled for investigation by the Suwon high-level public officials crime investigation office, according to Hankook Ilbo.
Seoul Police Chief Go Beom-seok addressed the transfer during a regular press conference on the 19th. He stated that the Yeongdeungpo Police Station was initially assigned to handle Representative Kim’s case but appeared to feel burdened by the high level of difficulty, leading the investigation team to decide that bringing the matter to the Seoul metropolitan agency was the appropriate course of action.