Rep. Shin Hyun-young: "Ministry of Health and Welfare Suspected of Downplaying Kim Seung-hee Controversy"

Shin Hyun-young: "Ministry of Health and Welfare Protecting 'Kim Seung-hee' Accused of Abuse of Authority and Obstruction of Business"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Shin Hyun-young, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 10th that the Ministry of Health and Welfare and its affiliated organizations, including the National Health Insurance Service and the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, are withholding data to protect nominee Kim Seung-hee for Minister of Health and Welfare.
Spokesperson Shin held a briefing at the National Assembly communication office on the same day, saying, "The Ministry of Health and Welfare has taken steps to 'protect nominee Kim' by blocking the submission of data from its affiliated organizations to conceal conflicts of interest allegations against nominee Kim," and added, "There is also evidence that the National Health Insurance Service and the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service obtained 'prior approval' from the Ministry of Health and Welfare regarding responses to the National Assembly's data submission requests."

Spokesperson Shin said that these affiliated organizations submitted data that was falsely reduced, and confirmed signs of organized involvement by Ministry of Health and Welfare officials. On the morning of the same day, Spokesperson Shin issued a press release through the lawmaker’s office, explaining that according to the National Health Insurance Service, there were two lawsuits between the law firm Class, where nominee Kim served as an advisor, and the National Health Insurance Service.

However, according to the lawmaker’s office, there were 16 concluded lawsuits between the National Health Insurance Service and Class. The National Health Insurance Service acknowledged that the data had been incorrectly submitted and promised to resubmit it, but the data has not been submitted yet. The lawmaker’s office claimed that, based on multiple testimonies, there is evidence that the Ministry of Health and Welfare is blocking the submission of data regarding lawsuits between Class and the Ministry and its affiliated organizations.

Spokesperson Shin said, "If the Ministry of Health and Welfare is truly blocking the submission of data from its affiliated organizations, it constitutes a serious crime of abuse of authority and obstruction of business," and added, "Ministry officials should work for the people, not for the minister."

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