Seoul: Police on Tuesday reopened an investigation into allegations Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won illegally lobbied for a COVID-19 treatment in 2021, sources said. Kim, a two-term lawmaker who was tapped by President Lee Jae Myung late last month, has faced mounting pressure following accusations that he asked the then food and drug safety minister to expedite the treatment's clinical trial approval at a broker's request.

According to Yonhap News Agency, an earlier investigation concluded in 2024 with the prosecution withholding formal indictment after determining that Kim's request could not be definitively found as illegal solicitation. However, Ko Beom-seok, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, suggested that the case could be reinvestigated following a criminal complaint filed by a civic group last week.

The case was assigned to Seoul's Yeongdeungpo Police Station on Tuesday, the sources indicated. Following a legal review, the police station is expected to question the accusers to gather further information. Kim has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he made no illegal requests to the then minister.