Rep. Kim Seung-won's Lobbying Allegations…Democratic Party on 'Road to Ruin'

It has been confirmed that Kim Seung-won, the nominee for Minister of Justice, received a request from an acquaintance in 2021 to help with the speedy approval of Genencell, a new COVID-19 drug, by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and that he conveyed this to Kim Kang-lip, the then-Minister of Food and Drug Safety. This allegation is being pointed out as a serious issue that could escalate beyond simple lobbying into a legal corruption gate.

Rep. Kim Seung-won received a request from an acquaintance in 2021 for the approval of Genencell's new drug, and evidence suggests he relayed this to the then-Minister of Food and Drug Safety. This goes beyond a simple request between stakeholders, raising suspicions of undue influence using the position of a public official.

Allegations of preferential treatment have been raised regarding the approval process for Genencell pharmaceutical company's COVID-19 treatment Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials. Despite the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety requesting 14補 (supplementary requirements), it appears that clinical approval was pushed through within a month without all these requirements being met.

This abnormal approval process strongly suggests the possibility of undue influence by Rep. Kim Seung-won, and the background behind Genencell's request to Rep. Kim Seung-won when they had not yet received approval for clinical trials has been revealed.

Genencell's COVID-19 treatment showed serious safety issues in non-clinical hamster experiments conducted before clinical trials. One out of five hamsters used in the experiment died, recording a 20% mortality rate, and significant pulmonary hypertrophy was found in the remaining 80% of the hamsters.

These results indicate that the safety of the new drug has not been sufficiently verified, and criticism is being raised against the forced conduct of Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials without ensuring safety.

Immediately after Genencell's clinical approval announcement, the stock price of related companies surged by more than 30% in a single day, and the stock, which was once around 4,000 to 5,000 won, soared to 50,000 won, showing a bizarre phenomenon of more than a tenfold increase. However, the company has now been delisted.

Such stock price movements strongly suggest suspicions of stock price manipulation aimed at inflating corporate value and short-term profits, and the possibility of preferential treatment in the approval process being linked to stock price manipulation cannot be ruled out.

Evidence of successful lobbying through Rep. Kim Seung-won was revealed by a broker's statement. The broker told the company CEO, "I got the lawmaker to lobby for us. Didn't this lawmaker protect our 6 billion won?" directly admitting to lobbying through Rep. Kim Seung-won.

This statement suggests that the broker made a request to Rep. Kim Seung-won for a company facing a crisis of returning investment funds of about 6 billion won, and this request was successful, averting the crisis.

It was pointed out that even drugs proven safe in animal experiments can cause serious problems when applied to humans. The tragic case of thalidomide, known as the morning sickness drug incident, was cited as an example, where many pregnant women gave birth to infants with limb deformities due to taking the drug.

Such cases emphasize the dangers that can arise from forcing urgent approval without sufficient verification in the bio-field, further adding weight to the safety controversy surrounding Genencell's new drug.

Controversy has erupted regarding Rep. Kim Seung-won's qualifications as a nominee for Minister of Justice. It is emphasized that the Minister of Justice must be at the forefront of justice, integrity, and cleanliness more than anyone else, and the current lobbying allegations raise serious questions about his integrity as a minister.

Especially in a situation where concerns are being raised that the minister could monopolize prosecution authority if a public prosecution office is established, this lack of verification of the nominee is being taken even more seriously, and demands for his removal from the confirmation hearing are being made.

Nominee Kim Seung-won stated that he has no authority over the cancellation of public prosecutions and is not considering such a position. This statement could be interpreted as him being sensitive to public opinion amidst declining approval ratings for the government.

Rep. Kim Seung-won's past representation of perpetrators in a group sexual assault case involving minors has been re-examined, stirring controversy. While a lawyer can undertake certain cases, it has been criticized as a hypocritical act, going against conscience, for him to claim to be a 'human rights lawyer'.

Lee Jae-neung strongly criticized, saying, "This guy defended perpetrators of group sexual assault against minors. A lawyer can do that. But if you have a conscience, you little punk, you shouldn't call yourself a human rights lawyer," questioning Rep. Kim Seung-won's title as a human rights lawyer.

A demand has been made for the new Minister of National Defense to first state his position on the issue of closing military academies. It is analyzed that current and former military personnel and individuals related to the armed forces are rising up in opposition to the closure of military academies due to deep concerns about South Korea's security.

Seonwoo Yoon-ho said, "I believe the new Minister of National Defense must first state his position on the closure of these military academies. How will he deal with it? The fact that current and former military personnel and related armed forces personnel are all opposing it is because of overwhelming concerns related to South Korea's security," urging the new minister to clearly state his position.

A demand has been made for Rep. Ahn Gyu-baek to immediately obtain and disclose certificates related to military academies. Strong criticism has been expressed regarding the political circle's ambiguous attitude on this issue, with calls for a clear stance before his retirement.

Seonwoo Yoon-ho said, "Ahn Gyu-baek must immediately obtain and disclose this certificate right now. Don't even think about brushing it aside," urging transparent information disclosure to resolve the suspicions.

It is speculated that the attempts to abolish and integrate military academies hide a political intention by the National Assembly to control them. Jang Dong-ran said, "Ultimately, the reason for abolishing and integrating them all seems to be nothing more than the government, the National Assembly, wanting to control them in their grasp." She argued that these attempts are aimed at strengthening the National Assembly's control over the military.

These attempts at consolidation and integration are being compared and analyzed with the situation during the May 16 military coup, raising concerns that they could undermine the military's political neutrality and independence.

Doubts have been raised about the specificity and effectiveness of alternative plans proposed after the closure of military academies. A skeptical view is dominant regarding whether they can replace military academies, and there are many questions about whether they would be better, it was pointed out.

Seonwoo Yoon-ho said, "It's doubtful, and the plans that come out after the closure of military academies, it's doubtful whether those plans can replace military academies, and it's also very doubtful whether they will be better than military academies." He emphasized that securing the professionalism of each branch of the military must precede strengthening jointness.

Bibimbap was used as an analogy for the military's jointness and professionalism. Seonwoo Yoon-ho said, "For example, even when we make bibimbap, it becomes bibimbap when the rice and vegetables are prepared and the fried egg is made, then mixed. If you mix raw rice, raw bracken, and raw eggs and steam it all in one pot, that's 'jjambap' (slop)." He emphasized that integration should occur after the professionalism of each military branch is secured.

This contains a warning that if integration is attempted forcibly without respecting the unique characteristics and professionalism of each military branch, it could lead to confusion rather than synergy.

A strong request was conveyed to nominee Kang Shin-chul not to sell his soul as a soldier, as he has spent a long time with the military personnel. Seonwoo Yoon-ho evaluated nominee Kang Shin-chul's past actions positively but expressed concern that he would be no different from former Minister Ahn Gyu-baek regarding the issue of closing military academies.

"Nominee Kang Shin-chul, more than anyone else, hasn't he spent a long time with the soldiers? With the military personnel and military officials, I ask that you do not sell your soul. At least if you are a soldier, please do not sell your soul." He strongly urged proper conduct and the defense of military legitimacy as a military elite.

Nominee Kang Shin-chul was asked to play a 'shield role' regarding key security issues such as the transfer of wartime operational control, the withdrawal of US Forces Korea, and the closure of military academies. This reflects the expectation that he will uphold the military's legitimacy within the limitations of the Democratic Party's cabinet.

Seonwoo Yoon-ho said, "I don't know about other things, but regarding the transfer of wartime operational control, the withdrawal of US Forces Korea, and the closure of military academies, I hope you will play a shield role." He urged the nominee to respond strongly to important security issues.

A thorough verification of former Minister Ahn Gyu-baek's military service allegations was announced, with strong pressure for him to submit his military service certificate. "We must absolutely not forget to keep a close eye on whether Ahn Gyu-baek submits his military service certificate. Ahn Gyu-baek, submit it now. Don't even think about trying to gloss over it," expressing continuous monitoring.

Emphasizing that it is an easily obtainable document, it was urged that former Minister Ahn Gyu-baek should no longer equivocate and quickly disclose the certificate.

Criticism was leveled at the Democratic Party's change in attitude according to shifts in approval ratings, emphasizing the need for the People Power Party's unity as a lesson. Jang Dong-ran pointed out the Democratic Party's behavior of attacking leader Lee Jae-myung when his approval rating dropped, and then changing their attitude to act friendly towards People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk when his approval rating rose and the Democratic Party's dropped, as if they had never attacked him.

"We should learn from the Democratic Party. Look at how they immediately attacked Lee Jae-myung when his approval rating dropped a bit. When our leader Jang Dong-hyuk's approval rating went up and the Democratic Party's went down, they came back and shook hands with leader Jang Dong-hyuk, acting friendly as if they had never attacked him." She urged the People Power Party to capitalize on its rising approval ratings and show greater strength through unity. She also encouraged joining as responsible party members, emphasizing the need to strengthen the party's foundation.