Han releases transcript on Facebook

Justice minister nominee Kim Seung-won answers reporters' questions as he arrives at his confirmation hearing preparation office at Jeokseon Hyundai Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Thursday. [Yonhap]
Justice minister nominee Kim Seung-won answers reporters' questions as he arrives at his confirmation hearing preparation office at Jeokseon Hyundai Building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Thursday. [Yonhap]

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon rebuffed justice minister nominee Kim Seung-won's claim that he had "happened to run into" a broker and a warrant judge in a photo taken in February 2022, calling the explanation a "shameless lie." The broker, identified only by the surname Yang, is linked to a lobbying case involving approval of a clinical trial for a new drug.

On Saturday, Han posted on his Facebook page asking whether Kim had truly "happened to" encounter Yang in February 2022, and released a transcript of their phone calls.

According to the transcript, Kim — then a first-term National Assembly member — told Yang during a phone call on Feb. 9, 2022, "I miss you so much, little sis, tears are just coming to my eyes." Yang replied, "Oppa, I'll come running right now. Where are you?"

When Kim said "Yeouido," Yang responded, "I'm in Hanam — I'll be there in an hour. Is that still OK? I'll leave right now, so give me the address."

Kim replied, "Just a moment… ah, it's also the court personnel reshuffle season, so…" Yang asked, "Oh, is it too long?" and Kim said, "I'll wait."

In a second call the same day, Kim said, "It's a shame if we can only see each other for 20 to 30 minutes," to which Yang replied, "It's fine. I'm on my way with a bunch of stuff, so just stay there." Kim answered, "OK, OK, I'll be here."

Han asked in response to the transcript, "What was the 'stuff' Yang mentioned that she was bringing?"

Han also criticized the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, saying "the private abuse of public power is corruption," and adding that "the Democratic Party, which acts as though lobbying for approval of a dangerous drug to help a room-salon younger sister strike it rich was the right thing to do, and President Lee, who nominated Kim Seung-won knowing all of this, are a corrupt political force."

Kim, a former judge, was investigated on charges of asking Kim Gang-rip, then head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, in October 2021 to approve a clinical trial for the treatment at Yang's request. Prosecutors suspended indictment in December 2024, citing the absence of direct financial gain and difficulty in establishing the illegality of the solicitation.

The controversy deepened after a photo emerged showing Kim, broker Yang and a warrant judge surnamed Jeong together, taken around February 2022.

Kim's confirmation hearing preparation team said he had "merely happened to encounter Judge Jeong and Yang at an open private gathering, and had no further meetings or contact with them afterward." The team added that Jeong "was not involved in the warrant review for the relevant case," and that the two arrest warrant requests filed against Yang "were reviewed and rejected by different warrant judges with no connection to Judge Jeong."


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