Democratic Party attacks whistleblower, faces backlash

In the audio recording of Kim Seung-won's spouse released by Representative Ju Jin-woo, a collusive relationship with Suwon City Hall was revealed. The person who reported this audio was not a People Power Party official as the Democratic Party claimed, but a special advisor to Lee Jae-myung's presidential election transition committee. The appointment letter for the special advisor has been confirmed. It was reportedly special advisor recommender Seo Young-kyo, chair of the Legislative and Judiciary Committee, who attacked the whistleblower most intensively.

Democratic Party members Seo Young-kyo and Park Sun-won disclosed the whistleblower's identity and attacked him as a People Power Party official. However, as it became clear that the whistleblower was a special advisor to Lee Jae-myung's transition committee, the Democratic Party's attacks backfired.

The whistleblower filed a complaint for violation of the Public Interest Whistleblower Protection Act against Representatives Seo Young-kyo and Park Sun-won, who disclosed his identity and made false claims.

It was an answer sheet with different content from the official answer sheet submitted to National Assembly members of the People Power Party.

The Q&A set included answers that the drug request allegation was 'a request for fair review,' and contained instructions to answer questions about biological experiments or human trials as 'minor symptoms.'

The new drug clinical trial related to nominee Kim Seung-won's allegations included human trials in addition to animal tests. The number of test subjects, initially reported as 93, was confirmed to have been administered to 109.

In this clinical trial, 10 recorded adverse events including diarrhea and abdominal pain were reported. The term 'etc.' suggests there may be additional abnormal symptoms. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has not disclosed the results of this clinical trial.

Nominee Kim Seung-won's side explained in the Q&A answer sheet that the statement was in the context of 'careful examination because it's a field with enormous interests at stake,' but the actual statement is being interpreted as suggesting a massive profitable project.

Allegations have been raised that a cooperative operated by nominee Kim Seung-won's spouse received preferential treatment from Suwon City Hall. The cooperative received a flame-retardant failure on a fire inspection and spent 4.4 million won for complete repairs.

It was revealed that Suwon City delayed the fire inspection period for the organization, providing convenience despite misaligned review periods. In particular, Sung-il, team leader of the Welfare Division, provided extensive convenience by instructing 'make sure to do our organization.'

The cooperative was operating a program for parents of people with disabilities through the city voucher project, and the direct convenience provided by city officials raises suspicions of collusion.

GeneSell had failed to receive clinical approval despite 14 security requests.

However, allegations have been raised that clinical approval was granted just two weeks after Kim Seung-won contacted the Minister of Food and Drug Safety and pressured staff. The initial clinical trial recruitment was 400 people, but actual participants were 93 (later corrected to 109).

It is believed that citizen Yang became aware that he could receive Kim Seung-won's help in the form of donations. This is being criticized as trading public health and safety for private interests.

The Q&A sets described adverse symptoms as minor symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain, and included defensive content stating it was improper to determine toxicity.

Staff would likely have felt pressure to process the matter quickly.

The fact that clinical approval in two weeks would be impossible through normal procedures suggests that nominee Kim Seung-won played a substantive role in proceeding with the clinical trial. The problem is that the process was handled based only on the broker's word without sufficient investigation into the therapeutic efficacy.

Critics argue that this process could create legal and moral responsibility for predictable harm to public health.

This is seen as using a democratic system as a tool for attacking the opposing camp, showing lack of political neutrality as a justice minister nominee.

Some evaluate that the statement uses a system meant to protect democracy as a means of political attack, indicating unsuitability as a justice minister nominee. Critics argue the statement intensifies controversy, especially given that the current government has imposed political suppression by framing the opposition as 'insurrection party' for over a year and a half.

At the resignation press conference, Representative Yong did not show any regret or apology for her mistakes, instead raising her voice at the public and telling the media to find reason.

Party Leader Kim Min-seok's emphasis on 'Democratic alliance' during Representative Yong's resignation announcement further fueled suspicions. People Power Party members including Representative Na Gyeong-hun pointed out whether Kim Min-seok promised proportional representation No. 3 to Yong Hye-in. Additionally, Yong Hye-in's bill prohibiting concurrent service as local and proportional representative was interpreted as a signal of intimidation toward the People Power Party.

In the resignation decision process, Representative Yong showed an attitude of blaming only the People Power Party without any regret or apology for her mistakes. This attitude raises doubts about the authenticity of the resignation.

The ethics committee consists of a chair and six members, with the next meeting scheduled for September 30. Before that, it requested disciplinary targets to submit relevant statements.

The ethics committee chair and one member are professors, while the remaining four are legal professionals with experience in civil servant and police disciplinary committees, suggesting strict judgment standards. The reflection attitudes of those subject to discipline will be an important factor, and previous re-appeals were all dismissed.

Phase 3 trials involve administering medication to a much broader group of subjects than Phase 2.

The Food and Drug Safety's refusal of Phase 3 approval is interpreted as concern about risk. This decision by the Food and Drug Safety shows it was aware of potential problems with the clinical trial.

Generally, a person facing such allegations naturally shows anxiety, remorse, and responsibility, but nominee Kim showed none of these attitudes.

This attitude was evaluated as more frightening than the allegations themselves. It raised concerns as he appeared to lack empathy on matters involving public life and safety.

Nominee Kim Seung-won's emotionless response to attempted murder allegations raises concerns about lack of public empathy

In particular, key witnesses including Judge Kang, petitioner Yang, the Food and Drug Safety Minister, and the Food and Drug Safety Director were not summoned.

With the Food and Drug Safety Minister and Director not summoned, there are criticisms that the exact role and decision-making process of the Food and Drug Safety cannot be clarified. Critics point out that sufficient verification is impossible with only written answers without witness testimony.

The opposition party claims the ruling party only adopted witnesses favorable to them and strongly criticized the witness rejection as betrayal of the nation.

Internal party division intensified after Party Leader Kim mentioned alliance with the Basic Income Party and others.

This raises suspicions that Party Leader Kim Min-seok intentionally uses division to strengthen his position as a presidential candidate. Evaluations suggest he pursues his own political interests regardless of Representative Lee Jae-myung's stability.

Representative Yong showed an attitude of cooperating if the Democratic Party met her demands, otherwise pursuing an independent path.

This strategy is interpreted as exploiting the political structure requiring a 'queen bee' as the presidential race progresses. Representative Yong Hye-in is analyzed as seeking superiority in her relationship with the Democratic Party to push through her demands.

While historically the National Assembly and president were often from the same party, a structure where the National Assembly with an absolute majority could control the judiciary was not properly considered.

In this situation, the judiciary faces a structural problem where it cannot respond to National Assembly legislation without constitutional amendment. Criticism is mounting over the situation where the National Assembly can pass unlimited judiciary-related legislation.

Subsequently, Yong Hye-in was indeed elected twice as a proportional representative in the National Assembly. It was confirmed that Yong Hye-in's husband, Park Kyung-woong, also attended the meeting, suggesting a close relationship between both sides.

This is noted as placing heavy responsibility on Party Leader Lee Jae-myung.

Repeatedly using satellite parties is interpreted as continuing loopholes without will to reform the system. Critics argue that Party Leader Lee Jae-myung's authority and responsibility as party leader are connected to Representative Yong Hye-in's nomination process.

The Basic Income Korea Network served as a key contact point.

These relations evolved into suspicions of quid pro quo arrangements such as ministerial appointments in the presidential election process. It is interpreted that the Yong Hye-in side believed they were receiving what they deserved.

On the surface, there are arguments about the impropriety of withdrawing charges, but it also appears as factional conflict between Lee Jae-myung's loyalists and non-loyalists.

However, ultimately the primary concern is the possibility of backlash in the general election if the charges are withdrawn. With months expected for the charge withdrawal process and the general election approaching, fairness concerns are growing.

This suggests mainstream activist opposition is stronger than expected.

Allergic reactions to prosecutorial background nominees are playing a major role. This additional verification is expected to become a variable in candidate Kim's appointment process.