Kim Seung-won Controversy Could Candidate and Family Come Under Investigation?

As the possibility of police re-investigation into Justice Minister candidate Kim Seung-won has been raised, mounting suspicions surrounding his family are drawing attention to whether the investigation could expand to include family members.

According to police and other sources on the 7th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has begun the allocation process for two cases of accusations filed regarding allegations that candidate Kim requested Kim Gang-lip, then-chief of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, to expedite the approval process for clinical trials of a COVID-19 treatment developer in 2021, and is reviewing whether re-investigation is possible.

Candidate Kim is under suspicion of making a request to Kim Gang-lip, then-chief of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, at the request of an acquaintance in 2021 to expedite the approval procedure for clinical trials of a COVID-19 treatment developer. Candidate Kim has acknowledged that a single phone call took place but maintains that there was no improper request.

In December 2024, prosecutors disposed of the case with deferred prosecution. However, following his nomination as minister candidate, accusations regarding the same allegations have continued to be filed, leading the matter to again come under police review.

Suspicions surrounding his family are also spreading.

Controversy over family salaries continues. According to Rep. Ju Jin-woo (People Power Party, Haeundae-gap, Busan), salaries received by candidate Kim's spouse, eldest son, and second daughter from the relevant association total approximately 330 million won. Claims have also been raised that the spouse and eldest son participated as interviewers in hiring the second daughter.

The opposition party argues that favoritism in family hiring and the Suwon city designated provider process should be revealed. Candidate Kim's side denies the favoritism allegations, stating that his children actually performed education and childcare duties.

There are multiple precedents of a Justice Minister or candidate and their family members coming under investigation together.

In 2019, then-candidate Cho Kuk came under prosecution investigation along with his family regarding suspicions surrounding his children's college admissions, private equity funds, and Woongdong Academy. Prosecutors initiated forced investigation, conducting searches at around 20 locations including relevant universities, private equity fund operators, and Woongdong Academy ahead of the confirmation hearing.

In 2020, incumbent Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and her son came under prosecution investigation on allegations of military leave favoritism. Prosecutors subsequently decided not to indict Minister Choo and her son, finding insufficient evidence.

In 2022, then-candidate Han Dong-hun faced suspicions regarding his eldest daughter's thesis and qualifications, leading to accusations filed against Han, his spouse, and his daughter with police.

Following the raising of re-investigation possibilities for the Justice Minister candidate himself who will oversee law enforcement, coupled with the expansion of verification scope to include family, the burden of the confirmation hearing politics is growing.

Whether suspicions surrounding the minister or candidate and their families will once again intertwine with investigations, as was the case under former Ministers Cho Kuk, Choo Mi-ae, and Han Dong-hun, is emerging as another variable.