South Korea's Justice Minister Nominee Withdraws Amid Scrutiny
Kim Seung-won withdrew his nomination as justice minister on September 19, 20 days after being named by President Lee Jae-myung, citing failure to meet public expectations. His departure followed allegations of lobbying and past misconduct, and marked the second withdrawal from the latest cabinet reshuffle. Opposition parties called for a complete overhaul of the presidential personnel vetting system.
Kim Seung-won withdrew on September 19, 20 days after his nomination, following President Lee's press conference where Lee promised to weigh public expectations. Kim cited a failure to meet those expectations and a desire to avoid burdening the government. This was the second withdrawal in the latest reshuffle, after Yong Hye-in resigned on September 13.
Allegations included lobbying the food and drug safety ministry in 2021 to fast-track approval for Genencel's COVID-19 treatment, and his role co-chairing a civic group seeking dismissal of criminal cases against Lee. After his withdrawal, former aides reportedly submitted a petition detailing further misconduct. This was the fifth nominee withdrawal under Lee's presidency, prompting opposition calls for a complete overhaul of the vetting system.
This repeated failure in personnel vetting could further erode public confidence in the presidential office's decision-making and oversight. It may embolden opposition parties to press for institutional reforms, potentially slowing legislative cooperation. The pattern of withdrawals could also distract from policy priorities, affecting governance efficiency. Citizens may perceive a systemic weakness in candidate screening, leading to increased skepticism about future appointments and the administration's overall competence.