People Power Party's Kim Tae-gyu Demands Kim Seung-won's Resignation

Rep. Kim Tae-gyu criticized the Ulsan mayor for hiring employees without the approval of the city council. He stated that the mayor operated the budget unilaterally, including demanding an increase of 12 staff members without prior consultation with the city council.

Rep. Kim Tae-gyu emphasized the Ulsan mayor's disregard for the assembly, saying, "The mayor finished hiring and then told the assembly to just provide the money, and there was no consultation with the city council during that process."

Rep. Kim Tae-gyu pointed out that if cutting budgets is considered a corruption cartel, then the Democratic Party should face that criticism first. This is because there was a precedent during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration when the Democratic Party cut the entire special activity fund for the presidential office and the prosecution.

Rep. Kim mentioned that the Democratic Party at the time justified budget cuts as a reason for cooperation, arguing that budget cuts are a legitimate exercise of the assembly's power.

Rep. Kim Tae-gyu revealed that allegations arose on August 15 that Mayor Kim engaged in prostitution in the Philippines. He explained that suspicions also followed that a 20 million won check was handed over to a person involved in the incident the very next day.

Rep. Kim added that the police are currently investigating the case.

He allegedly did not declare the mortgage rights set on the property, even though he was the debtor.

Rep. Kim mentioned that nominee Kim paid all five years of his overdue taxes immediately after his nomination as minister, urging an explanation for the nominee's moral flaws.

Just a week later, on October 19, Sejong Medical invested 11.298 billion won in Genescell shares and convertible bonds, securing a 14.01% stake.

After the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety's announcement of clinical approval, Sejong Medical's stock price sharply fluctuated, and related parties are estimated to have earned 18.3 billion won in profits. The prosecution gave nominee Kim a suspended indictment, but a constitutional appeal challenging this decision is underway, Rep. Han explained.

Rep. Park Jae-soon pointed out that there were serious problems with the data that formed the basis of the Genescell clinical trial. Kang, the founder of Genescell, was indicted on charges including submitting false data despite not conducting hamster experiments.

Kang was sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for five years, in the first trial. The company applied for 32 billion won in government clinical trial support funds but was reportedly rejected.

Rep. Lee Su-jeong questioned how a clinical trial containing false and omitted data was approved. She asserted that it is necessary to verify whether nominee Kim Seung-won's request for expedited processing had any influence on that process.

Rep. Lee also suggested the possibility that nominee Kim's request was connected to investments and stock trading related to Genescell.

Rep. Lee Su-jeong revealed that it was confirmed that a highly dangerous drug that caused laboratory animals to cough up blood was administered to 43 COVID-19 patients. She raised an issue with the fact that a person who ultimately contributed to this dangerous drug administration was nominated as Minister of Justice.

Rep. Lee pointed out that the moral shortcomings for a Minister of Justice are severe.

Rep. Seo Young-seok stated that Sejong Medical subsequently experienced management deterioration, trading suspension, and ultimately a delisting decision. As a result, some 30,000 minority shareholders suffered significant losses, with estimated damages totaling at least 5 billion won.

Rep. Seo urged a thorough investigation into the Genescell-related stock manipulation allegations and the damages suffered by minority shareholders.

Rep. Lee Bo-hong-soon questioned the incident where arrest warrants for broker Yang and Genescell's Kang were dismissed. Suspicions of a connection arose because the judge in charge at the time had worked as a legislative assistant in Rep. Kim Seung-won's office.

Rep. Lee emphasized the need to determine what interests and connections existed among nominee Kim, broker Yang, Genescell's Kang, and Judge Jeong, and whether they improperly influenced the warrant review process.

While nominee Kim's side explained that the statement was taken out of context, Rep. Kwon emphasized that this requires not just a simple explanation but a fair investigation to uncover the truth.

Rep. Ha Jong asserted that a massive connection might exist between the KH Group, linked to Kim Sung-tae, Bae Sang-yoon, and Kim Man-bae, and Genescell. He stated that if nominee Kim Seung-won was aware of such a relationship beforehand and proceeded with the solicitation, it could only be the beginning of a colossal power-related gate involving power and intrigue.

Rep. Ha raised the possibility of a power-related gate, citing various connections, including the alumni relationship between nominee Kim Seung-won and Kim Man-bae.

They pointed out that nominee Kim has a record of drunk driving and engaged in disguised residency to enroll his children in school.

They also raised suspicions that he employed both his son and daughter in a family association created by his wife, thereby embezzling public funds. Chairperson Lee Ju-hyun criticized, saying, "The nominee for Minister of Justice has a drunk driving record, engaged in disguised residency to send his children to school, and employed both his son and daughter in a family association created by his wife, embezzling public funds."

All district party chairpersons outside the National Assembly from the People Power Party concluded that nominee Kim Seung-won lacks the qualifications to be the Minister of Justice, strongly demanding his immediate resignation and calling for a parliamentary investigation and special prosecutor into related allegations.