Allegations have surfaced that Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won relayed a request to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety while aware that a broker surnamed Yang stood to gain hundreds of millions of won in investment profits. Rep. Han Dong-hoon, an independent lawmaker, argued on that basis that Kim should face charges of third-party bribery. Meanwhile, calls for Yong Hye-in, the nominee for gender equality and family minister, to withdraw have emerged even within the ruling party, widening the controversy surrounding both nominees.
Han said on Facebook on the 9th that Kim lobbied the drug safety ministry knowing that broker Yang Su-jin would collect 800 million to 1 billion won in the form of a convertible bond investment if the lobbying succeeded. "This is a textbook case of third-party bribery," he said.
Article 130 of the Criminal Act, which covers bribes to third parties, provides that a public official or arbitrator who receives an improper solicitation related to their duties and has a bribe given to a third party, or demands or promises such a payment, faces up to five years in prison or up to 10 years' suspension of qualifications.
As evidence that Kim knew in advance of Yang's financial interest, Han presented a recording of an October 2021 phone call between Yang and Choi Jae-sung, a former senior presidential secretary for political affairs. In the call, Yang said he had told Kim only this much: that if the investment was secured, a professor surnamed Kang had agreed to invest roughly 800 million to 1 billion won in his own company as well through a convertible bond issue, and that he was asking for help on that basis.
Calls between Yang and Kang also showed that specific payment arrangements were discussed on multiple occasions. In a September 2021 call, Kang said Genencell might invest in Gusta, Yang's business, and added that he had deliberately avoided mentioning commissions, noting that the usual rate is 3% for amounts above 10 billion won and 5% at around 5 billion won.
Kim's confirmation hearing preparation team said the same day that Article 130 presupposes an improper solicitation, and that courts and prosecutors have already determined that no improper solicitation occurred in this case.
In the case of Yong, who has drawn criticism over holding a ministerial post while serving as a proportional-representation lawmaker, calls for her resignation are spreading within the Democratic Party. Rep. Song Young-gil of the Democratic Party said on YTN Radio the same day that she must make the decision herself, adding that if she does not step down, she may not be able to serve as a lawmaker later either.
He also took issue with the fact that Yong's spouse and a former aide hold key posts in the Basic Income Party. "A party that has a sitting lawmaker and receives state subsidies should not be run as a family party," he said, questioning whether the public would accept it.
Public opinion on Yong is also unfavorable. A survey conducted on the 6th and 7th by pollster Public Opinion Fairness at the request of Pen&Mike asked 1,015 men and women aged 18 and over nationwide about Yong's appointment. It found 72.2% opposed, 16.6% in favor and 11.2% undecided. Opposition was high in every region of the country, including the Honam area.
